Germany: 10 reasons to visit Bremen

2024-03-12 22:33:00, Kulturë CNA

Musicians of the city of Bremen

"The Town Musicians of Bremen" is a famous folk tale by the Brothers Grimm. The story is about four aging animals who leave their homes to seek their fortune in Bremen. Local legend says that touching the Bremen Town Musicians statue in the city center brings you good luck.

Germany: 10 reasons to visit Bremen

The guardian of the city

This Bremen statue shows Roland, a loyal knight who once served under the Holy Roman Emperor, Charlemagne. It was erected on the city's market square in 1404. Legend has it that Bremen will remain free and independent as long as Roland stands watch over the city. The statue and the historic town hall are protected UNESCO World Heritage sites.

Germany: 10 reasons to visit Bremen

Weser Renaissance Architecture

Seventeenth-century artists carved countless intricate figures and reliefs into the sandstone facade of Bremen Town Hall. Among them is the famous main symbol of the city, which later became a motif on the coat of arms. Bremen is revered for Weser Renaissance architecture.

Risk and win

The former home of the Schütting guild served Bremen's merchants and retailers for nearly 600 years. Today, it houses the Bremen Chamber of Commerce. In 1899, the 'Low German' inscription "buten un binnen wagen un winnen", which translates to "out and in, risk and win", was added to the portal of the building.

Schaffermahlzeit Banquet

Every year, 100 captains, 100 merchants and 100 guests gather at Bremen Town Hall for the traditional Schaffermahlzeit banquet. The all-male tradition was introduced in 1545 as a means of bringing together the town's captains, shipowners and merchants. On February 13, 2015, women were invited to the dinner for the first time in history.

Germany: 10 reasons to visit Bremen

Bremen's oldest quarter

Attractive half-timbered houses and quaint shops make up Bremen's charming 'Schnoor' district, located just a few hundred meters from the market square. It is the oldest quarter of the city and ideal for a leisurely stroll.

A shopping mall

The Weser River connects Bremen to the North Sea via Bremerhaven, about 60 kilometers (37 miles) further north. The river was a major trade route. Over the centuries, ships brought raw materials to Bremen from northern Europe and then loaded cloth and ironwork. Bremen became a member of the Hanseatic League, a powerful medieval alliance of merchants and cities, in 1358.

Germany: 10 reasons to visit Bremen

Bremerhaven

Bremerhaven has one of the largest container ports in Europe, moving around 50 million tonnes of cargo each year. However, Bremerhaven is also a major hub for passenger ships. Its Columbus Cruise Center ranks among the most modern passenger terminals in the world. The city is also home to the 'Atlantic Sail City' hotel, which resembles a giant sail.

German Immigration Center in Bremerhaven

The German Emigration Center in Bremerhaven is dedicated to the history of Germans who emigrated abroad, especially to the USA. It was here in the 19th and 20th centuries that millions of passengers boarded ships bound for the Americas and elsewhere, seeking to build new lives.

Germany: 10 reasons to visit Bremen

Klimahaus Museum in Bremerhaven

In the harbor area of ??Bremerhaven there is a spectacular museum dedicated to climate change. The elegant building resembles the shape of a ship and its exterior consists of 4,000 glass windows. Inside, visitors can learn about the impact of global warming on nature and humanity./ DW