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

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Hanseatic merchant

Union of Cities THE HANSA

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Hansetag Kampen Abschlussparade

Member cities

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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.

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News

Annual Advisory Forum 2022
20.10.2022

THE HANSA at the Annual Advisory Forum on Cultural Routes

The 11th Annual Advisory Forum on Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe took place in Chania (Crete), Greece on 5-7 October. The Forum was attended by more than 400 participants, including representatives of the 37 EPA member states and international organizations such as the European Union and UNESCO. 

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HaW 2023 ©Krzysztof Deczyński
1.11.2022

HANSEartWORKS 2023: Submission deadline prolonged

The application deadline for the 17th edition of the HANSEartWORKS exhibition has been extended by one month to 30.11.2022. The exhibition will take place in the Polish city of Toruń from 22 June to 22 July 2023 under the motto "Following the common path". It is organised in connection with the 43rd International Hanseatic Day.

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Herbstkommission Torun_Adam Zakrzewski
28.10.2022

Hansa Autumn Commission in Torun

Delegates from 21 Hanseatic cities met from 21 to 23 October for the annual Autumn Commission of the Union of Cities. The meeting primarily served to prepare for the 43rd International Hanseatic Day, which will take place in Torun next year.

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Harderwijk YH ©Irina Faber
13.10.2022

YouthHansa: Peace of Harderwijk

The Harderwijk Peace Treaty from 1446 always remains topical.35 young people from various Hanseatic cities from the Netherlands and Germany gathered in Harderwijk to discuss peace and freedom and what we can do ourselves to promote peace in our own cities. 

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News_Pixabay_Michael Bußmann
5.09.2022

Attendorn: Finally a Westphalian Hanseatic Day again

After two cancelled Westphalian Hanseatic Days due to the Covid pandemic, the time has finally come again: the 39th Westphalian Hanseatic Day will take place on the second weekend in September. It will be hosted by the Hanseatic town of Attendorn, which is celebrating its Hanseatic heritage at the same time as the 800th anniversary of the town.

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