Mölln - St. Nicolai

Mölln is a small town (pop. ~20.000) surrounded by lakes. It was founded in the 12th century by Knight Konrad Wackerbarth by resettling Slavic peasants into today's Old Mölln.
Around 1210, the settlement got the first fortifications. First time mentioned was the village 1188 in Barbarossa's privilege for Lübeck.

Mölln fell to Denmark in 1201 and was granted "Lübische Stadtrecht" (town charter) by King Waldemar II. 25 years later Mölln fell to the Duke of Saxe-Lauenburg in 1227. In 1230 Mölln was mentioned as the youngest parish in the Ratzeburg tithe register. The church, which was probably built around this time, was placed under the patrocinium of St. Nicholas.

Mölln was important due to the Old Salt Route, through which the salt produced in the salt mines of Lüneburg was shipped to the harbour of Lübeck. Although situated in the midst of the duchy of Lauenburg, the town was mortgaged to the Hanseatic town of Lübeck, which ruled Mölln from 1359 to 1683.

St. Nicolai, the parish church, is located on the highest point, overlooking the town and the seas around. Next to the stairs (near the lady) is a statue of Till Eulenspiegel, a legendary trickster and jester, known for exposing vices. Eulenspiegel is said to have lived his last year of life he allegedly resided in Mölln. He died from the plague in 1350. Well, his existence is not proven, but what would I expect from a jester.