Bremen, 2 hotéis

Bremen's town hall is unique in Europe – so you should definitely check it out when you visit the city! It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in July 2004 and for good reason. From 1405 to 1408, it was built in the Gothic style and has been preserved. This makes it the only one of its kind in Europe which was built in the late Middle Ages and was never destroyed. It even survived the Second World War unscathed. It has been renovated and expanded again and again over the centuries, but the Gothic building retains its original features.

The stone Roland statue was also declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site together with the town hall. It’s a symbol of freedom, so you can find this type of statue in many European squares. Bremen’s Roland statue was built in 1404. It is the oldest and highest with a height of 5.5 metres. It symbolises the companion of Emperor Charlemagne and signifies how the emperor founded the city and gave it features such as market rights. To this day, the Roland statue symbolises the independence of the Free Hanseatic City.

It is only 108 metres long and, yet, Böttcherstraße is one of the best known and most popular streets in Bremen. In the middle ages, it was the connection between the port and the old town. Mainly craftsmen lived here, mostly barrel makers – who were called “Böttcher” in Old German – which gave the street its name. From 1922 to 1932, the coffee merchant Ludwig Roselius transformed the street into today’s collective work of art, crafted from brick architecture. Numerous small speciality shops, restaurants and artisan workshops, as well as the museum in the Roselius-Haus and the Paula-Modersohn-Becker Museum attract hundreds of visitors every day.

Located on the market square, the two striking towers of the St. Petri Cathedral tower above. Archbishop Bezelin began building it as early as 1041. His successor, Adelbert, then completed today's building with its three-aisled pillar basilica and two crypts. The chapels and the double-tower facade were added later in the 13th century. For centuries, the cathedral was neglected, so much so, that it had to be extensively restored between 1899 and 1901. The six organs in the interior of the cathedral are particularly eye-catching. Also worth seeing: the cathedral museum. It is open every day, except public holidays, and entry is free.

Next to Dom St. Petri Cathedral, Unsere Liebe Frauen Kirche Church is the oldest church in Bremen. The church of St. Veith, originally built in the 11th century. In the 13th century, the new Westphalian hall church, "Our Lady" was rebuilt. Of the original building, only the crypt with its beautiful wall paintings from the 14th century remain, all of which make this the oldest accessible building in Bremen. The stained-glass windows, which were designed by the French artist, Alfred Manessier, after being destroyed in the Second World War, are also beautiful to look at.

The Brothers Grimm fairytale is known far beyond Germany! The town has commemorated the four musicians in a bronze statue next to the town hall. When a farmer wanted to give away his donkey, which had grown too old to carry heavy loads, it took off. Its destination was the city of Bremen, where it wanted to earn a living as a street musician. On its way, the donkey met a dog, a cat and a cockerel. They team up, but never make it to Bremen. Because they find a cabin in the middle of the forest and, after driving thieves out of it with a trick, they decide to stay there, since they like it so much.

Small streets, narrow alleyways and nooks and crannies give the oldest part of Bremen its quaint and cozy atmosphere. The name Schnoor, which means “Schnur” (cord) in today’s “Hochdeutsch” (High German), is meant to symbolise pearls on a cord, represented by the street’s closely packed houses. The old town quarter is lovingly cared for by its residents. This can also be seen in the houses, which have been restored with great attention to detail. Here, where fishermen and artisans used to live, there are now many small cafés and pubs. Artisan businesses, antique shops, museums and theatres contribute to the diversity of the district.

The city’s maritime flair is evident on the riverside promenade. Stroll along the riverbank, watch the ships on their way up and down the river or take a seat in one of the numerous cafés and restaurants to sample some Hanseatic cuisine. You can experience the city from a different angle from the water, so it’s worth taking one of the boat trips. Options range between a faithful replica of a Hanseatic cog and a luxury yacht. You can even stay the night on different hotel ships or watch a performance on the theatre ship.

With its unique location directly on the Weser, the stadium has offered a great setting for numerous football games and concerts. Superstars like Michael Jackson and Depeche Mode have even played here. For Bremen locals, it’s naturally the home of the city team, Werder Bremen. From 2008 to 2011, the entire stadium was extended, expanded and modernised. Since then, it has only been used as a pure football arena, offering space for a total of 42,500 spectators and, thanks to the photovoltaic system on the roof, it can supply itself with energy. The history of the stadium and club can be experienced in the WUSEUM and on guided tours.