In 1303 young nobleman Burchard von Otteshude was looking for a piece of land for a settlement. He appreciated a site which should become Stockelsdorf in the same year.
Burchard von Otteshude worked in Stockelsdorf for 17 years, when a Lübeck citizen purchased the place in 1320.

In the course of history mainly two families influenced the development and well-being of Stockelsdorf.

The first one was the landowner family von Calven who became the owners of Stockelsdorf for almost two and a half centuries (approximately from 1400 - 1636).
This family was well-known throughout the area and some members even became important mayors and councillors of the neighbouring Hanseatic city of Lübeck.

In the Middle Ages the buildings and farmhouses in Stockelsdorf originally just surrounded an oval square which has developed into the local village square of today.

Close to this place you can still visit the former manor house which was reopened after complete reconstruction works in 2003.
 
                            

Stockelsdorf used to be a farming site but gradually tradesmen like weavers and brewers settled around the former manor house.

In 1761 Stockelsdorf was sold to the councillor Nikolaus von Lübbers whose family became the second most important family for the history and prosperity of Stockelsdorf in the following years.
The village prospered enormously when Nikolaus von Lübbers came to Stockelsdorf. He let the old manor house pull down and had it replaced by a new one. Besides he planned and realized the surrounding park which has been preserved until today (it will completely be redesigned in 2008).

But most of all von Lübbers became famous and well-known throughout Europe due to his faience factory (1771 - 1788). Even today his precious pieces of work are famous and appreciated and still in demand.

Furthermore Nikolaus von Lübbers was busy in founding several factories: paper, wallpapers, playing cards, vinegar as well as a brewery.

He let many craftsmen settle in Stockelsdorf and he also freed his farmers from bondage and made them hereditary tenants.

(Author: Hermann Röttger)

The Stockelsdorf coat of arms exclusively symbolizes those two important families von Calven and Lübbers.

The three stars symbolize the von Calven family whereas the three golden arrows have been taken from the family coat of arms of the Lübbers family.

Stockelsdorf today has developed into a municipality city comprising of ten smaller villages with 16526 inhabitants (31.03.2007) on 56,7 m² (21,9 sq mi). It is situated in the district of Ostholstein in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, directly northwest of Lübeck.

The small settlements of the past have become a friendly community on the edge of Lübeck. It consists of the main place Stockelsdorf and the following 10 villages Arfrade, Curau, Dissau, Eckhorst, Horsdorf, Klein Parin, Krumbeck, Malkendorf, Pohnsdorf and Obernwohlde.
While those villages have kept their rural characters, Stockelsdorf presents itself as a modern and lively place with urban essential features today. This is visible at the entrance of the place called the "Stockelsdorfer Tor" (Stockelsdorf Gate), where the main roads "Ahrensböker Straße" and "Segeberger Straße" meet.
The townscape has been redesigned throughout the years with the construction of residential and business grounds and was completed with the opening of the local hotel "Lübecker Hof". Finally a new attraction was built in 2002. This very building - a glass pyramid, which is presently used as a Greek restaurant - is setting interesting priorities with its special architecture completing Stockelsdorf´s silhouette at the same time.

                                             

The lively town centre with its numerous shops offers shopping possibilities for young and old. A lot of small shops and big consumer markets offer a wide range of products.
A local library, an adult education as well as a youth centre and a lot of clubs are available for leisure activities.
You can enjoy various sporting activities on different sports grounds and in numerous sports halls in Stockelsdorf or nearby.
The well-preserved Herrengarten with its extensive park offers a lot of opportunities to relax in the summer.
In the foyer of the historical manor house "Herrenhaus" situated within the park many valuable exhibits of the famous "Stockelsdorf Fayence Manufaktur" are on display.
The ground floor of the 18th century building which was completely renovated from 2000 - 2003 is used as a stylish and elegant local registry office. Besides there is a popular restaurant offering a delicious local and Mediterranean cuisine.
Stockelsdorf is very close to Lübeck, Bad Schwartau, Travemünde and the Baltic Sea an can easily be reached by public transport.

Lübeck is very famous for Niederegger Marzipan, Rotspon (a red wine) and of course the Holsten Gate throughout the world. Besides, there are numerous historical sights, theatres, museums, indoor and outdoor swimming pools and much more to enjoy a relaxing and exciting holiday. In winter many tourists from the whole of Germany and abroad choose to come and visit this interesting Hanseatic city. It is especially popular for cosy decorations and delicious food on its beautiful Christmas markets in December.

Translation by Susanna Eremjan and Madeleine Lossie (pupils at the local secondary school  RHS-Stockelsdorf)