Vertrek Kamper Kogge
Privileg des Königs Eduard IV. 1547
Stoffe und Pelze
Die Hanse zu Gast in Neuss
Übergabe Hansefahne an Torun

From the Middle Ages to the Present Day

It began as a network of long-distance merchants and developed into a powerful association of cities: the Hanseatic League. For more than 400 years, the Hanseatic League shaped the economy, trade and politics of northern Europe. Today, the Hanseatic cities are reconnecting with their great past: The Union of Cities THE HANSA was founded in Zwolle in 1980 to revive the common cultural heritage and, with almost 200 member cities, is one of the largest voluntary associations of cities in the world.

The medieval Hanseatic League

Learn more
Hanseatic merchant

Union of Cities THE HANSA

Learn more
Hansetag Kampen Abschlussparade

Member cities

Learn more
Hansa-Map

The International Hanseatic Day

Just as in the Middle Ages, the Hanseatic cities meet regularly at the Hanseatic Day.  And just like back then, the key decisions of the association of cities are made at the Hanseatic Day today. Every year a different Hanseatic city is host and invites you to celebrate Hanseatic history and international understanding. Not only the delegations from the Hanseatic cities take part, but also up to 500,000 visitors from all over Europe.

Read more

News

Autumn Commission 2023_Dominik_Paszlinski_www.gdansk.pl
29.11.2023

The Hansa in Gdansk

The Union of Cities' Autumn Commission took place in Gdańsk from October 24 to 26. Around 40 representatives from the commission cities of the Hanseatic League were able to see for themselves the status of preparations for the 44th International Hanseatic Day, which will be held in the Polish Hanseatic city from June 13-16, 2024.

Learn more
St Marys cathedral, Visby ©Region Gotland
10.11.2023

Hansa Organ Project: Competition for composers

October saw the launch of the Hansa Organ Project. Composers and musicians from the Hansa are cordially invited to participate in the project - by submitting compositions for the planned Hansa Organ Book and the participation of organists in the Hansa Organ Festival on the occasion of the Hanseatic Day in Visby 2025.

Learn more
Smart Hansa_Cooperation HL Wismar Rostock Stralsund ©HL
2.11.2023

Smart Hansa sets course for digitalization

The mayors of the Hanseatic and Baltic cities of Lübeck, Rostock, Stralsund and Wismar agree to work closely together in the future on the development and implementation of digital solutions in the face of major social challenges. On October 23, they signed a declaration of intent in Lübeck for cross-city cooperation on the digital transformation to a smart city.

Learn more
Youth Hansa Day Deventer title image
12.10.2023

Deventer Youth Hansa Day

On Friday 22nd and Saturday 23th of September the Deventer (Youth) Hanseatic Days took place. Young people from the Dutch and Rhenish Hanseatic cities got the chance to discover one of the most beautiful Hanseatic cities: Deventer. The event was organised by our YouthHansa delegates Silke Zeeuwen and Mika Pater, both from the city of Deventer.

Learn more
Gdansk Main Town ©Visit Gdansk
6.10.2023

HANSEartWORKS 2024: Call document published

As part of the 44th International Hanseatic Day in Gdansk, the joint exhibition HANSEartWORKS will be held for the 18th time. In 2024, the motto of the exhibition is "Made in Hansa". Hanseatic cities can submit their contribution to the organization team in Gdansk until January 8, 2024.

Learn more
Kuldiga 3
25.09.2023

New UNESCO sites in Hanseatic cities

The Union of Cities THE HANSA has two new UNESCO sites in the Baltic States: at the 45th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, which met in Riyadh (Saudi Arabia) from September 10 to 25, the Old Town of Kuldīga and the modernist architecture of the city of Kaunas were designated as World Heritage Sites.

Learn more
ValmierasMuzejs full size 300ppi
15.09.2023

Valmiera Museum: new exhibition

The new exhibition of the Valmiera Museum was opened on 18 July this year during the Valmiera City Festival. "Discover the history of Valmiera!" invites you to "de Woldemer". It is located on the grounds of Valmiera Castle - the oldest wooden building in the city and the new glass house next to it. Modern architecture and respect for cultural heritage, contemporary design and a modern historical story stand side by side here.

Learn more
Launch of Hansa England Cycle Route
13.09.2023

Launch of the Cultural Route "Hansa England"

Am 10. September wurde die Kulturroute „Hansa England“ eröffnet. Die Route markiert einen bedeutenden Meilenstein bei der Würdigung der reichen historischen und kulturellen Verbindungen zwischen England und der Hanse.

Learn more
HANSEartWORKS 2023_City of Torun
30.08.2023

HANSEartWORKS: Exhibition catalogue 2023 is online

The catalogue of HANSEartWORKS 2023 "Following the Common Path" is now online. The exhibition took place during the 43rd International Hanseatic Day in Torun, Poland. The publication presents the works created especially for the exhibition by artists from the cities of THE HANSA.

Learn more
Torun aerial view ©Daniel Pach
21.06.2023

Welcome to the 43rd International Hanseatic Day!

The Polish Hanseatic city of Torun is inviting visitors to the 43rd International Hanseatic Day from June 22 to 25 under the motto "In the Orbit of Cities". Nearly 80 Hanseatic cities and numerous guests from home and abroad are expected to celebrate the Hanseatic cultural heritage together.

Learn more