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Historic centre · Lunenburg, Nova Scotia
Old Town Lunenburg
An 1753 British colonial old town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with a grid of streets on a slope above the harbour and wooden houses and sheds painted red, yellow and blue.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Old Town Lunenburg
Lunenburg was founded in 1753 by the British, with Protestant settlers mainly from German-speaking regions. The town was laid out on a grid, with regular blocks applied over a steep slope, without adapting to the terrain: for that reason the streets run up and down in straight inclines to the harbour.
The historic centre preserves a large number of wooden houses from the 18th and 19th centuries, many with the projecting upper window known as the Lunenburg bump. Facades are painted in strong colours, and the large red sheds along the harbour recall the era when the town lived by fishing and shipbuilding. UNESCO inscribed the old town as a World Heritage Site in 1995.
Notable buildings include St. John’s Anglican Church, a wooden neo-Gothic church rebuilt after a 2001 fire, and the Lunenburg Academy, a school building from 1895 on the hilltop.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
Two to three hours on foot.
Best time
June to September, when shops and museums are open. Late afternoon light illuminates the harbour facades when viewed from the opposite shore.
How to get there
The historic centre is the town of Lunenburg itself, about 100 km from Halifax via Highway 103.
Tip
For the classic view of the colourful houses, go around the harbour by car or walk to the opposite shore near the golf course.
Official website
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Old Town Lunenburg
When was Lunenburg founded?
In 1753 by the British, with settlers from German-speaking regions.
Why are the houses in Lunenburg so colorful?
The bright paint on the wooden houses and sheds is a local tradition tied to the fishing and shipbuilding era.
How long does it take to see Lunenburg's historic center?
Two to three hours on foot, accounting for the hills.