St. Marien: Renovation of the north and south towers
More than 700 years old, St. Marien has seen a lot: The rise and fall of the Hanseatic League, the near destruction in the Second World War, the twelve years of reconstruction in the post-war period - and, of course, the North German weather all the time. Extensive preliminary investigations and analyses since 2013 of the two 125-metre-high twin towers have revealed
Enormous cracking, stone spalling and detachment of the corner ashlars. Penetrating moisture and the increase in volume of the grouting mortar were practically cracking the masonry. It was clear that urgent securing and renovation work was needed.
Measures
Based on the preliminary investigations, a comprehensive renovation concept was developed with the specialist planners. Work on the tower shaft masonry of the south tower of St. Marien began in October 2019; work on the north tower continued in autumn 2020. A total of 400 square meters of façade surface were renovated, 130 meters of cracks were closed and 93 corner blocks were secured with dry anchors.
- Removal of the grouting mortar in the area of the cracks, replacement of damaged bricks using high-fire plaster mortar
- Restoration of damaged plaster
- Cleaning, crack repair and new anchoring of damaged corner blocks
- Reworking the pointing in the area of the cracks
- Renewal of the covers of the cornice projections
- Corrosion protection measures on the wall anchors
- Repair of the lightning protection systems
Facts & Stats
Implementation
2013 to 2019, in three construction phases
Costs
2.5 million euros
Project Management
Christoph Diebold, Architect, Lübeck
Good to know
The renovation of the St. Marien towers was financed with funds from the federal government's special monument protection program, the Gemeinnützige Sparkassenstiftung zu Lübeck, the Friedrich Bluhme und Else Jebsen-Stiftung, the Possehlstiftung, the Deutsche Stiftung Denkmalschutz and donations from the “Seven towers I want to see” project.
And a fun fact on the side: since the renovation, a replica of the popular church mouse “Rosalie” has been hiding on the north tower. Visitors will recognize her from the interior of St. Marien, where she hides in the bottom left-hand corner of the sandstone relief behind the altar. Anyone who touches her is said to be blessed with good luck.