Who hasn’t heard the tale of Donkey, Dog, Cat and Rooster, the world-famous Bremen Town Musicians? Though the four musicians never did reach their destination, Bremen still remains the place where almost all visitors look for the amazing statue of the four animals that stand as a symbol of friendship and strength.
Bremen delights visitors with its remarkable worlds of discovery, unusual maritime and historical attractions and sensational art and culture.
Geography
The capital and chief city of the state of Bremen, Bremen is situated near the head of Weser River estuary, some 20 miles south of its sister city Bremerhaven and the North Sea. The city is inhabited by more than half a million people, of whom about 140000 are of non-German origin, with most being from Turkey.
History
Bremen started as a fishing village in the 8th century, and already in the 13th it became a free (self-governing) city and a member of Hanseatic League. During WWII Bremen was heavily damaged by Allied bombings, but after the war, the city was in the U.S. zone of occupation and, with Bremerhaven, was the main port of supply for American troops stationed in Germany. Today Bremen is one of Germany’s busiest ports and an industrial center trading in cotton, wool, tobacco and copper.
City Structure
Bremen is divided into Old Town on the east bank of the Weser and New Town on the west bank. Old Town retains a medieval flavor, with narrow, twisting streets and gabled houses. The medieval walls of the city have been razed and replaced by parks and lakes.
Must-See Attractions
City Hall
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Bremen’s Town Hall is regarded as the jewel in the crown of the historical market square. Built in the early 15th century and renovated in the 17th, the building is one of the most important examples of Brick Gothic architecture in Europe that was especially designated to act as a Town Hall and used this way over the ages. Of special note are the Gothic statues of Charlemagne and the Seven Electors on the main façade. The ground floor of the building is a museum and the cellar is now a restaurant.
On the famous marketplace of Bremen one will also find the Statue of Roland, which represents the civic autonomy and market freedom during the Holy Roman Empire. While on the corner of the western wing is a modern bronze sculpture representing the characters from the popular fairy tale ‘Animal Musicians of Bremen’ by the Brothers Grimm.
St. Peter’s Cathedral
Conveniently nestled between the Town Hall and the State Parliament, St. Peter’s Cathedral completes the ensemble of historical buildings on the city’s market square. The classic Bremen Cathedral was built in the 11th century, with the huge twin towered façade being added in the 13th century. Open seven days a week (check the opening hours), this classic Bremen Cathedral has truly a lot to offer. The interior is in a Renaissance style, with statues of Charlemagne and Willihad. Of special interest are the bells (the north tower has three bells, whereas the south holds a single one); Bleikeller, a basement beneath the nave, which, even before the Reformation had a reputation as an excellent place to preserve the bodies of the dead in amazing form; and the south tower ideal for magnificent views over the city.
Schnoor Quarter
Owing its name from the string (schnur in German) of pretty little houses dating back to 15th and 16th centuries, Schnoor quarter is the oldest and most fascinating district of Bremen. Its narrow lanes are now home of many craft enterprises, artistic fountains and sculptures. In immediate proximity there are also modern buildings, which fit in perfectly with the historically developed setting. The area also contains The Museum of Antiquity, which includes Germany’s most important private collection of antique Greek vases.
Hole of Bremen
Every now and again, when a tourist appears on the market square, right at the bottom of the steps outside the State Parliament building, he/she seems to hear animal sounds from the ground. The sounds come from the famous Bremer Loch or the Hole of Bremen, a collection box set into the pavement. Do not think that the animals are locked underground; the animal noise is just a way of thanking you for each coin you through.
Weather and Climate
Bremen enjoys an oceanic climate. The warmest months in Bremen are June through August, with the highest temperature being 22.6°C, and the coldest – December through February, with the lowest temperature -1.1°C.
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