Sights in Bremen

Bernhard Hoetger dedicates his artwork to the well-known story of the seven "lazy" sons of a farmer. They found no work in Bremen and went off into the world: rich in knowledge and experience, they returned years later and applied modern methods in their father's farm. You will find the fountain in a small courtyard of the Paula Becker Modersohn House in Böttcherstraße. By the way: the four Town Musicians also adorn the fountain.

Facing south-east from the market square, St. Petri's Cathedral lies between the town hall and the Bürgerschaft. The construction of the Romanesque church made of sandstone and brick dates back to the 11th century. Since then, the church has undergone numerous alterations and extensions. The building has been a listed building since 1973. In addition to the imposing exterior, a look at the interior of the church is worthwhile, as is a visit to the cathedral museum and the Bible garden.

The "Spuckstein" (spitting stone) is an inconspicuous dark stone square set into the pavement of the Domshof. Its history is all the more exciting: the stone commemorates the legendary murderess Gesche Gottfried, who poisoned 15 people with arsenic. It marks the spot where her head was cut off on 21 April 1831. Out of disgust at her crimes, the people of Bremen still like to spit on the stone as they pass by.

When visitors first arrive in Bremen's city centre from the train station, they are surprised by the sight of the large, roughly 100-year-old Herdentorswallmühle in the middle of the city. Embedded in a sea of seasonal flowers, the mill in the Wallanlagen is one of the most photographed sights in the city. Where flour was still ground until 1950, there is now a restaurant and it is possible to visit the structure.

So you hear wierd voices on the market square? Barking, meowing, cock-a-doodle-do or hee-haw screams are quite normal in Bremen: they are part of the hole of Bremen! A drain cover next to the Bürgerschaft has been converted into a donation money box. After a few coins have been inserted, the sounds of the four Town Musicians are heard as a reward. The coins go to the Wilhelm-Kaisen-Bürgerhilfe for its social projects.

The Schlachte - located in the heart of Bremen directly on the Weser - has experienced a lot in its 800-year history and shown many faces. As a former waterfront harbour, it has been transformed into today's maritime promenade with numerous restaurants, bars and pubs. With its unique flair, the Weser promenade and the gastronomic offers, the Schlachte is a meeting place for all generations.

For many people in Bremen, the Shopping starts at the bronze pigs at the beginning of Sögestraße. Since 1974, they have been a popular meeting place from which to start your shopping spree. From the Wallanlagen to Obernstraße, you will discover a variety of shops in the shopping mile.

"Where the Werra and the Fulda kiss" is where the Weser rises to run northwards through Bremen like a lifeline. From Obervieland in the southeast to Vegesack in the northwest, the Weser is omnipresent as a cross-section of the city. So you live either to the right or left of the Weser, walk, jog, skate or cycle along it, enjoy the sun on the dyke, stop off somewhere at the Schlachte or jump straight in for a swim.

Heini Holtenbeen is a legend in Bremen. He was born here in 1835 as Jürgen Heinrich Keberle and suffered a stiff leg and slight brain damage from an accident. From then on, he could be met daily on Bremen's market square, where he took the cigars from the merchants in front of the stock exchange to make new ones from the leftovers. The bronze statue in the Schnoor Quarter commemorates him.

A popular photo motif is the bronze monument in front of the entrance to Radio Bremen's broadcasting centre on Diepenau. The sofa, erected in 2013, commemorates the humourist Vicco von Bülow, better known as "Loriot". The original green Loriot sofa from his TV series is in the foyer of Radio Bremen. The pug on the bronze replica reminds us that Bülow was an enthusiastic lover of this dog breed.

The famous green sailing ship "Alexander von Humboldt" has been permanently moored at the Schlachte in Bremen since the beginning of 2016. It has been in operation as a restaurant and hotel ship in the Europahafen since May 2015.

A variety of cultural attractions, shopping opportunities and a unique, alternative charm characterise this part of town. The area around Ostertorsteinweg between Goetheplatz and St.-Jürgen-Straße is affectionately called "the quarter" (1/4) by all Bremen residents. Life pulsates here day and night!

In Vegesack, about 25 kilometres from Bremen city centre, lies the "Maritime Meile". On the Weser promenade, maritime history comes alive with museums, a beautiful park, maritime monuments and historic ships.

The whale-shaped Universum Bremen near the university is not only an absolute architectural highlight! Here, knowledge is conveyed interactively and hands-on. The permanent exhibition deals with the topics of man, nature and technology, while special exhibitions, science shows, lectures and workshops focus on changing themes.

The Bremen Friedenstunnel (Peace Tunnel) has become a special place not only for the citizens of Bremen, but also for numerous tourists who visit places of interest and significance in the city. The Peace Tunnel is a publicly accessible structure near Bremen's main railway station. With the artistic peace sign, a place was created to give people hope for peace, understanding, tolerance and the courage to live together.

An entire district in transition - experience a harbour district rich in tradition at the pulse of the present! Stroll along the Europahafen, marvel at the boats, enjoy great sunsets on Waller Sand and discover culinary highlights. Experience one of the largest urban development projects in Europe with your own eyes.

Art and technology, Bremen and the world, history and the future - in Bremen there are a multitude of houses that inspire and impart knowledge.

Bernhard Hoetger dedicates his artwork to the well-known story of the seven "lazy" sons of a farmer. They found no work in Bremen and went off into the world: rich in knowledge and experience, they returned years later and applied modern methods in their father's farm. You will find the fountain in a small courtyard of the Paula Becker Modersohn House in Böttcherstraße. By the way: the four Town Musicians also adorn the fountain.

Facing south-east from the market square, St. Petri's Cathedral lies between the town hall and the Bürgerschaft. The construction of the Romanesque church made of sandstone and brick dates back to the 11th century. Since then, the church has undergone numerous alterations and extensions. The building has been a listed building since 1973. In addition to the imposing exterior, a look at the interior of the church is worthwhile, as is a visit to the cathedral museum and the Bible garden.