Mölln - of fools and Corona restrictions

In May, holidays in Schleswig-Holstein were possible again and we set off to get away for three more days. We had chosen Mölln and Ratzeburg as our destination - hoping that most tourists would initially go to the coast and that it would be quieter there. Passing by rapeseed fields, we approached the city of Eulenspiegel with our motorhome and headed for the parking space near the city center.

Unfortunately, the parking lot was blocked with a notice that overnight stays were prohibited due to the current Corona situation. We were not the first to arrive there, and inquiries had already been made at the tourist information office: The place should actually be open. The next person we spoke to from the city also shared this view... However, we should not remove the barrier, but rather wait for the city staff. After half an hour and another inquiry that made us realize that it could take a while, we decided to explore the city center first and hope for an open and free parking space later.

We walked between the Ziegel and Stadtsee lakes to the other side of the lake (because we didn't turn in on time at first, but then found the path quite nice) and looked out over the Stadtsee to the old town of Mölln.

We walked back between the Stadt and Schulsee lakes and started our tour of the old town.

Our path led us through narrow streets and larger roads with some beautiful half-timbered houses to the Kurpark.

The park, covering 40,000 square meters, is beautifully landscaped and spacious. Till Eulenspiegel is said to be on the move there from time to time (a municipal employee is still allowed to play the role of Till Eulenspiegel to this day), but we didn't meet him. It seems that Corona has also put an end to the jestering in Mölln...

We walked back to the city center to the market square, where the old town hall with a gable staircase, the St. Nicolai Church, and the Eulenspiegel Museum stand.

We had enough time for lunch on the market square, where fortunately the weather held up and we didn't get wet. Then we went back to the parking space because our parking ticket was expiring and we wanted to see if it was finally opened.

We started at the museum of the most prominent Mölln citizen, Till Eulenspiegel, which is housed in a half-timbered house from 1582. A maximum of four people were allowed in the exhibition (and there were only two in front of us). Our Corona test from the previous day was completed about 24 hours ago, so we were allowed to visit the exhibition, which showed the life and work of Till Eulenspiegel and the various stories about him.

Across from the Eulenspiegel Museum in the Historic Town Hall is the city history collection, which we subsequently visited. In addition to some information about the city's history (Mölln received Lübeck city rights in the 13th century), there was a thoughtful and entertaining special exhibition on Corona caricatures.

The St. Nicolai Church was closed, but on its outer wall, we saw the Eulenspiegel Memorial Stone. Till Eulenspiegel is said to have died in 1350 at the Heilig-Geist-Hospital in Mölln, after having played pranks everywhere on his travels through Europe.