The bells don’t toll
Lübeck was the first German city bombed by the Allies in retaliation for Coventry. A lot of the centre of the town was destroyed in the subsequent firestorm. St Mary’s cathedral was severely damaged and it was only relatively recently that it was repaired. In one of the chapels the remains of the church bells lie where they fell, twisted and melted never to toll again – their silence a poignant call for peace.
In contrast, our walk around the island that is Lübeck’s old town was accompanied by the constant ringing of Christmas bells from one spire after another. Our circumnavigation was charming; Lübeck is a very pretty city, especially when there is some Sunshine on the red brick churches and houses. But it was sooo cold. We had lost touch with our extremities by the time we made it back to the apartment.
A homemade dinner for Christmas Eve finished off our day.
Dear Evan
Happy birthday, solstice, Christmas, Boxing Day!!!!
We visited Lübeck a few years ago – we do remember being particularly moved by the bells in St Mary’s cathedral.
We were on a day trip from Plön, NW of Lübeck, staying with friends – there are lots of lovely lakes around Plön. We also visited Kiel – I do remember it being cold, tho it wasn’t midwinter.