The Paravicini studio

Saddlery and circus magic in Lübeck

During our recent trip to Große Burgstraße, I mentioned that this street holds a number of discoveries. Today, I'd like to introduce you to the Paravicini Atelier , which has been located at Große Burgstraße 35 for the past 10 years. In the atelier, I meet the owner, Nicolai Paravicini , who learned the saddler's craft from the ground up. He opens the door to his world, where tradition and craftsmanship form a fascinating union, and where he is increasingly making room for his great passion: the world of the circus.

Workshop and showroom in the Paravicini studio

Master saddler Nicolai Paravicini completed his apprenticeship at a workshop in Rhineland-Palatinate that exclusively manufactured riding saddles. He moved north to be with his wife, Ea, a tightrope walker and circus performer with years of experience at dizzying heights. At the time, he had no idea that he, too, would be captivated by the circus and discover new ways to express his craftsmanship. Initially, Nicolai's focus in Lübeck was on establishing his one-man business.

After a successful start in smaller premises on Große Burgstraße, the move to number 35 followed soon after. He had already noticed the corner building with the antiquarian bookshop on the ground floor while cycling past. "If that ever becomes available..." Nicolai thought. His dream came true faster than expected. And even during the viewing, Nicolai sensed that this was the perfect place to showcase his creative work.

Leather comes alive

As I enter Paravicini, I'm immediately greeted by the characteristic scent of leather, which evokes memories. The light-filled room is understatedly furnished. The warm wood of the furniture blends beautifully with the white-painted walls. Select leather bags are artfully displayed. Delicate clay figures add a touch of lightness. Truly a space that touches the senses.

The small workshop area presents itself as a tidy space for focused work: tools, rolls of leather, sketches. Here, high-quality briefcases, handbags, small leather containers, classic travel luggage, and belts are created. Nicolai Paravicini appreciates the close collaboration with his clients, starting by discussing their wishes and requirements. This requires empathy and a good understanding of people. The master saddler has developed a range of basic models in natural colors, which he adapts to the client's specifications. This is followed by material selection and the creation of a sketch. The actual saddlery work demands artistic skill. Nicolai Paravicini uses only leather from German and European tanneries. The firm saddle leather has a particularly pleasant feel; it is durable and robust. A Paravicini piece is purchased by those seeking a high-quality accessory that will last a lifetime.

The world is full of wonders just waiting to be transformed into art.

Karl Ove Knausgård

A second artistic career

The workshop reflects Nicolai Paravicini's deep dedication to his chosen profession. I find it fascinating that this down-to-earth craftsman has discovered his love for the lightness of the circus. It almost seems inevitable when you give your heart to an elegant acrobat who floats gracefully on the tightrope. It all began when Nicolai accompanied his daughter to performances, helped with setting up and taking down the equipment, and invested energy in building props. This also meant many hours of downtime—time that seemed to slip by unused. Ultimately, however, it was time to closely observe the artists during rehearsals and performances.

Nicolai explored the question of his strengths. "What am I good at?" He experimented with working with clay and continually honed his skills away from the circus ring. His goal: to capture the moment of perfect concentration. When you look around his studio, you discover his figures in perfect poses. Performers with focused gazes. You sense the person behind the grand gesture – beyond the glamour of the circus show. You see the world behind the curtain through Nicolai's eyes.

Between Heaven and Earth

Does it surprise you to hear that Nicolai has moved from the sidelines of the ring into the spotlight? No: he still leaves the tightrope walking to his wife. But exploring his profession as a saddler and craftsman led him to consider what he could contribute to a show. How he could unite performing and visual arts. The world of the circus is in flux. Artists are approaching their performances playfully and with new methods. "Higher, faster, further" is no longer the focus. Boundaries have become more fluid. Nicolai has taken up this observation. On stage, he works with rods, which he assembles into ever-changing objects. Here you can see what Nicolai's circus world looks like.

Want to see Ea and Nicolai Paravicini on stage? Of course you can! They'll be performing at the HanseKulturFestival from June 7th to 9th, 2024. And later that year – in September 2024 – you can catch them for a week on the Lübeck Cathedral meadow.

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