Steeped in historical past however with all the excitement of a recent European metropolis, picturesque Bremen in northwest Germany is packed stuffed with distinctive issues to see and do.
Bremen Cathedral takes centre stage within the metropolis’s Market Sq. (Picture: Jan Hammershaug by way of Flickr / CC BY 2.0)
Straddling the Weser River, which flows out to the North Sea, Bremen is thought for the grand buildings that line the market sq. and lengthen out onto its fundamental boulevards and residential streets. However whereas this can be a metropolis that exudes Outdated World European attraction, Bremen can be very a lot a spot with its finger on the heart beat, as evidenced by its busy nightlife and cultural scenes. Amongst this harmonious combine are countless nice issues so as to add to your itinerary – and listed here are 12 of the perfect.
Admire a surprising cathedral
Dominating Bremen’s central market sq. is St Peter’s Cathedral, or Breme Cathedral as it is usually identified, which resonates with 1,200 years of historical past. Boasting a mishmash of architectural kinds, with Romanesque, Gothic and bits of later Gothic Revival sprinkled in following restorations within the 19th-century, the cathedral is a very breath-taking imaginative and prescient. A pair of 89-metre towers break Bremen’s skyline, and for those who enterprise inside you possibly can climb the south tower for distinctive vistas throughout town. Different highlights embrace a chapel that includes fragments of the cathedral’s choir stalls, which have been carved with episodes from the bible in 1360, and an 11th-century crypt.
Sandstraße 10-12 / Mon-Sat 10am-5pm Solar 11.30am-5pm
Marvel at a Renaissance-style metropolis corridor
One other architectural feast for the eyes is Bremen Metropolis Corridor, a UNESCO World Heritage landmark and extensively thought-about one of the vital stunning civil buildings wherever in Europe. That includes eye-catching stonework and sumptuous carved statues affixed to its façade, you might spend hours fortunately gawping on the constructing from the surface. However guests shouldn’t go up the prospect to take a peek inside, the place the official Bremen vacationer workplace run guided excursions. Look out for the lavishly adorned Higher Corridor and Germany’s oldest cask of wine within the cellar.
232 Predominant Avenue / Mon-Tues & Thurs 8am-5.30pm Weds 8am-12pm Fri 8am-5pm Closed Sat-Solar
The beautiful exterior of Bremen Metropolis Corridor (Picture: Roger W by way of Flickr / CC BY-SA 2.0)
Go to a captivating museum
Devoted to artwork and cultural historical past, the Focke Museum affords a novel perception into Bremen’s wealthy heritage. Comprising a fundamental constructing, 4 historic homes and a show room, in addition to a close-by Mühle Oberneuland windmill, the museum incorporates artefacts that span some 1,200 years. In addition to a everlasting assortment, common exhibitions on city historical past, arts and crafts, design, pictures and artwork collections referring to city and cultural historical past are staged right here. The museum additionally hosts a various programme of occasions for all ages, from talks and readings to themed guided excursions and academic occasions.
Schwachhauser Heerstraße 240 / Weds-Solar 10am-6pm Tues 10am-9pm Closed Mon
For a considerably quirkier museum choice, the Ludwig Roselius Museum is simply the ticket. Nestled on the finish of Böttcherstraße, the museum options the non-public assortment of the eponymous German espresso service provider Ludwig Roselius, together with a treasure trove of curios and artwork spanning the early center ages to the 17th– century. Amongst them are varied liturgical ornaments, Renaissance work, sculptures, and spiritual statuary, with probably the most notable artworks together with Lucas Cranach’s Portrait of Martin Luther and Katharina von Bora, his spouse.
6-10, Böttcherstraße / Tues-Solar 11am-6pm Closed Mon
Discover Bremen’s oldest district
A maze of small homes and slim alleyways, the Schnoor district is not only fairly to take a look at, however can be town’s oldest neighbourhood, as soon as serving as its medieval centre. Guests eager to discover the well-preserved remnants of its distinguished previous can accomplish that by becoming a member of a Schnoor guided tour. Accompanied by an professional information, you’ll see buildings courting again as early because the 15th century, half-timbered homes with tea rooms, and examples of Baroque and Renaissance structure. In the course of the one-hour tour, your information will reveal tales about former residents and different quirky info.
A quaint road in Bremen’s Schnoor district (Picture: Bremen Tour Information / Courtesy Viator)
Take a look at a historic music-playing clock
One of the eye-catching – and ear-tingling – landmarks in Bremen is the Home of the Glockenspie, whose historical past dates again to the early twentieth century. It was then that espresso baron Ludwig Roselius purchased quite a few buildings on the identical road as his espresso enterprise. Along with a sculptor named Bernhard Hoetger, he started altering the facades of most of the buildings to evoke Nordic supremacy and nice explorers and conquerors. Atop considered one of these buildings, rows of bells rang, corresponding with a revolving panel to the left of the glockenspiel, which depicted Christopher Columbus, American actor Leif Erickson and two well-known German explorers. The constructing was largely destroyed throughout WWII however right this moment is totally revamped, attracting admiring glances from all who go it.
Boettcherstr. 4
Discover a disused submarine manufacturing unit
Few nations do memorials fairly like Germany and the exceptional U-Boot Bunker Valentin, nestled on the Weser River within the Bremen suburb of Rekum, is likely one of the most noteworthy. Constructed to assemble German U-boats throughout World Struggle II, over 6,000 individuals misplaced their lives right here as a consequence of a mixture of allied air assaults and the horrible, unsafe working circumstances that its labourers confronted. As we speak the colossal construction, which was by no means truly accomplished, may be visited and explored by these in search of to commemorate or study extra in regards to the horrors of Nationwide Socialism
Rekumer Siel / Tues-Fri 10am-4pm Solar 10am-4pm Closed Sat & Mon
Uncover the darkish aspect of Bremen
Like most cities, Bremen has its personal murky underbelly and guests are invited to discover it by becoming a member of the Darkish Facet of Bremen tour. Over the course of two to 2.5 hours, you’ll study all in regards to the metropolis’s legal previous, from the Center Ages to the twenty first century, and the id of its most infamous crooks, cads and criminals. You’ll additionally go to the websites of sentencings and executions and listen to blood-curdling tales of all method of misdeeds, lethal murders and elaborate heists. Not for the faint-hearted!
A ugly recreation as seen on a Darkish Facet of Bremen tour (Picture: StattReisen Bremen e. V. / Courtesy GetYourGuide)
Let your hair down in a hip neighbourhood
The beating coronary heart of Bremen’s nightlife scene is Das Viertel. Relationship again to the 1800s, when it was adorned with regal villas and townhouses within the Historicist, Neoclassic and Jugendstil kinds, right this moment the district hums with night-time exercise, with fun-seekers flocking to patronise its eclectic bars, bistros, cafes and reside music venues. Come day time, the neighbourhood returns to its extra genteel state, with classic outlets and boutiques changing the pulsating music.
Be taught all in regards to the artwork of beer brewing
In accordance with legend, some 3,000 bottles of Beck’s beer are opened each minute – and we are able to increase a glass to that. Anybody visiting Bremen will quickly uncover its wealthy beer tradition, with beer brewing having taken place within the metropolis for the reason that eleventh century. As we speak it’s residence Beck’s Brewery, the headquarters of beer-making behemoth Beck’s, the place guests can be a part of excursions and acquire an perception into the artwork of brewing. In addition to trying across the museum, guests also can see the substances retailer and brewhouse, the malt silos, and the fermentation and storage tanks. Two quick movies and a cinema presentation full the tour, however don’t seize your jacket simply but – now it’s time for a sampling session.
Am Deich 18-19
Stroll within the footsteps of Bremen’s emigrants
With over 7 million individuals leaving the historic port metropolis of Bremerhaven between 1830 and 1974, it was as soon as one of many busiest emigration ports in Europe. Situated straight on the seafront of the North Sea, earlier than the emigrants bought to Bremerhaven, they’d usually spend a number of days in close by Bremen. The Bremen Historic Emigration tour offers guests the prospect to stroll within the footsteps of those emigrants. In the course of the 2-hour tour, you’ll get to see a number of the metropolis’s fundamental landmarks and points of interest whereas listening to tales associated to emigrants and immigrants out of your professional information.
Climb aboard an actual life U-boat
Simply 4 German U-boats stay from their heyday within the Nazi navy, however the one one nonetheless floating is the Wilhelm Bauer. Building on the ship completed simply as World Struggle II was drawing to an in depth, and it was put into service as a coaching ship virtually instantly. In 1945, the vessel was scuttled and sunk to the ground of the Baltic sea, however 12 years later it was raised, overhauled, and transformed right into a take a look at boat for the brand new German army. It was throughout this time that the U-boat was rechristened the Wilhelm Bauer. As we speak it’s completely docked in Bremerhaven, about an hour’s drive north of Bremen, the place it serves as a museum ship for guests to watch for themselves.
Hans-Scharoun-Platz 1 / Mon-Solar 10am-6pm
A view throughout the water in the direction of the Wilhelm Bauer U-boat (Picture: Clemens Vasters by way of Flickr / CC BY 2.0)
