Haus der Bürgerschaft - Bremen's State Parliament

In the Bremische Bürgerschaft (House of Parliament) on Marktplatz - right in the centre of Bremen - MPs debate and fight for majorities. They table or amend motions. They pass or amend laws. Parliament legislates on the budget and scrutinises the government. It acts through the spokespersons of the various parliamentary groups and with the members of the Senate in public sessions, in front of mostly full stands and under the eyes and ears of journalists.

The Haus der Bürgerschaft tells a piece of Bremen's modern architectural history. It was built in 1962/63 and has been a listed building since 1992. This site used to be characterised by gabled houses. These were demolished in the 19th century to make room for the neo-Gothic New Bremen Stock Exchange. However, the stock exchange was destroyed during the Second World War. The ruins went to the state of Bremen, which planned a new seat for the parliament.

The new building caused debate. The design by architect Wassili Luckhardt was considered by many to be too modern for the market square. The design was revised. In 1966, the time had finally come: the building was opened. The reinforced concrete and glass building opens up to the market square with its façade. A gesture intended to symbolise openness and democracy.

Yes, you can request plenary visits and tours of the building via the Bremen Parliament website.

The sculpture garden with six works by Gerhard Marcks is part of the civic centre. It was opened in 2005. The sculpture garden can be visited during the opening hours of the Bürgerschaft.

Opening hours

Monday to Thursday 8 am - 7 pm
Friday 8 am - 6 pm