LUNEBURG, lu'ne-boork, Germany, capi ital city of the government district of the same name in the province of Hanover, on the navi gable Ilmenau River. It contains many ancient dwellings but the well-laid-out gardens of the suburbs give the place a modern aspect. There are four churches including the Catholic, and a synagogue besides. The Michaelis Church dates from the 15th century, and the Johannis Church. with its five naves, belongs to the pur est 14th century Gothic period. The Nikolai Church and its colossal central nave dates from the 15th century. Among its other notable buildings are the ancient courthouse in the market place, full of art treasures, the great structures of the Michaeli monastery (now a seminary), the old Kaufhaus, etc. Its indus tries consist of lime-kilns, iron, cement, carpet, stoneware and dye works, a horsehair weaving factory, wax bleachery, etc. The trade is ably assisted by its Chamber of Commerce and con sists of exports in wine, grain, lumber, hay, straw, wool, wax, etc. It is the junction of
several railways. Among its other public build ings figure the gymnasium and realgymnasiutn, the Evangelical teachers' seminary trade school, museum, public library, etc. Documentary evi dence of this town dates from 1228 and munic ipal rights were conferred in 1247. As a mem ber of the Hansa League in the Middle Ages the city had considerable prominence and great wealth. In the Thirty Years' War the city was taken by Duke George of Brunswick-Liineburg and fell to a relatively low estate and has since gone through the vicissitudes of Brunswick and Hanover. Its population, in 1910, was 27,790. Consult Volger, (Urkundenbuch der Stadt Lune (Luneburg 1872-77) ; Bodemann, 'Die alteren Zunfturkunden der Stadt (Hanover 1883).