Unlike many towns in Germany, Lüneburg was spared during the Second World War and none of its historical buildings was damaged. But its historic buildings had fallen into dangerous decay. Since the 70's the town has been gradually restored to the tourist attraction it is today.
In 1980 the saltworks finally closed ending a millenium of salt mining tradition in the town. In 1990 3 of the 4 barracks were closed and the university moved to the site of one of them.