Bremen was once a member of the medieval Hanseatic League and is still one of the most important cities in northern Germany. Together with the city of Bremerhaven on the North Sea it forms Germany's smallest state. Bremen has a more than 1200 years of history, and was most of the time an independent city state.
Bremen is a rather long and narrow city, lined along both sides of the river Weser. Along the north-west/south-east axis it stretches 1 km, but across only 2 km.
PLACE TO VISIT
Rathaus (Town Hall) this is one of the finest in Europe and as such has been included on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Building work started in 1410 and it is seen as an important display of the wealth and freedom of the city. Tours of the interior are conducted by the Tourist information office at 11am, noon, 3pm and 4pm
Dom St Petri (Cathedral of St Peter) is over 1200 years old, and its huge towered façade dominates the main square. the interior is impressive with some fine painted details on the ceilings. There is a treasury displaying the collection of the cathedral. Entrance is free, for €1 you can climb the Southern Tower offering nice views over the whole city
Roland this statue on the main square is of the Knight Roland who was a protector of trade. It appears in many European cities especially those involved in the Hanseatic league. Bremen's is considered one of the finest and is included with Town Hall on the World Heritage List.
Die Bremer Stadtmusikanten (Town Musicians of Bremen) perhaps the most well known figures associated with Bremen are the characters from the Brothers Grimm Fairy Tale, their image adorns many of the souvenirs in the city. Next to the Town Hall is a much photographed statue of them.
Böttcherstrasse, is the incredible Jugendstil (Art Nouveau) street that runs from the main square towards the river. There are many fine façades and courtyards all with large amounts of design detail. There is an impressive Glockenspiel that chimes at regular intervals. There are lots of shops and several Museums, including the impressive Paula Modersohn-Becker Museum. Haus Atlantis (now the Hilton) has an impressive spiral staircase just inside, at the top of which is the staggering Himmelshaal (unfortunately it is not normally open to the public).
Am Wall is a lovely park next to the former defensive moat which offers a nice place to sit and relax.
Schnoor this area of twisting lanes is a lovely place to wander aimlessly looking at in the many shops and also at the world smallest hotel
WHAT TO DO
Stroll around the city center and visit the Schnoor-Viertel with its old medieval buildings. If interested in arts visit the Bremer Kunsthalle (museum of art) with one of north Germany's finest collections. If you like football, visit a match of the local team Werder Bremen in the stadium.
If you want to see green fields, cows, bikers and in line skaters, visit "Blockland" (site in German with some pictures) to enjoy the agricultural side of Bremen´s nature. It is located near the river Wümme, roughly in the west of the university. You can drive (by bike or skates) along the dike and take an icecream at one of the farms (some also sell organic food). In winter there is no icecream but the river and small creeks for iceskating.
On October 03, 2008, the indoor ice skating season will start again at Paradice, the skating hall in Walle , site in German). Paradice is opened from October to February.
SHOPPING
Kluten, are a traditional sweet from Bremen. They are cubes of peppermint, partly covered in chocolate. Hachez, near the Town Hall, is a traditional Bremen based chocolatier and their store is well worth a visit to buy the Kluten, though they are also available at many other places throughout the center.
Schnoor is a den of tight lanes selling boutique style products including Jewlery, African Artifacts, Paper Models and a year round Christmas Shop. There are also a lot of shops selling tourist souvenirs.
Böttcherstrasse, This wonderful Art Nouveau street has many outlets cattering for upmarket/high quality products.
Markets are out on most of the squares around the Town Hall.
Lloyd Passage, Obernstrasse, Sögestrasse are the main shopping streets with all the main High Street chains.
HOW TO REACH
By air - Bremen airport (IATA: BRE) (ICAO: EDDW) is located in the south-west of the town and offers flights to most bigger German cities and some European destinations. It`s easily accessible by public transport (tram line 6, about 10 minutes from the city center) and by car. Major carriers are OLT , Ryanair and Lufthansa.
By train - Regular and frequent services connect Bremen with the rest of Germany. There are two trains every hour to Hamburg in the north and Osnabrück, Münster and the Ruhr Area in the South as well as to Hanover. In the west lie the cities Delmenhorst and Oldenburg and the Frisian islands. There are also trains (via main station) connecting the peripher areas of Bremen (2 times per hour to North Bremen, final station Bremen-Vegesack, or to Verden via Mahndorf or Sebaldsbrück.
By car - Autobahn 1 runs to Hamburg in the north and Cologne in the south but do check the traffic information! The A27 goes north to Bremerhaven and Cuxhaven and south towards Hanover, Braunschweig, Berlin and other eastwards connections.
