Bremen: A city where the past and the present come together under one roof

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Bremen is a city located in the north-western part of Germany. The city is known for its commerce and industries, and it houses a major port on River Weser. Being a cultural hub in the northern part of the country, Bremen is home to quite a lot of museums and galleries as well.  Being a cultural hub, this city is visited by tourists from all over the globe, all year round.

The tenth populous city in Germany had had its share of war and bloodshed before it achieved an autonomous status in the 20th century. It has witnessed two major wars and numerous conflicts with a number of rulers throughout several centuries and it has survived till this date, turning into one of the most significant cities of Germany.

Bremen is a part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. People from all across the world visit this cultural heritage all round the year.

Location

Bremen is situated in the north-western part of Germany. It lies along the river Weser, at a distance of 60 kilometers from the river’s northern estuary mouth on the North Sea. The city center is located only 3.5 km away from the Bremen Airport.

Weather

Bremen has a moderate oceanic climate. The warmest months in the city are June July and August, with an average temperature of about 20 to 26 degrees while the coldest months are December, January, and February with the mean temperature dropping to -1.1 to 0.3 degrees. Therefore, it is not an ideal time to visit this place in winters, especially if you’re from the warmer parts of the world.

History

The history of Bremen dates back to 12,000 BC. Burial grounds, as well as settlements, have been discovered in Bremen-Mahndorf and Bremen Osterholz that are supposed to date back to the 7th century A.D. In the year 787, during the period of Christianisation, Bremen got its first Bishop named Willehad of Bremen. Nearly a century later, the city of Bremen witnessed the merging of Archdiocese of Hamberg with the archdiocese of Bremen that culminated into Hamberg-Bremen Archdiocese.

In 1032, the city’s first stone walls were built. With an increase in trade relations with various nations such as Norway, England, and Netherlands, its importance as an economic hub also increased.

Frederick I Barbarossa granted numerous privileges to Bremen in the year 1186. By force of such privileges, Bremen could not be subjected to feudal ownership. The serfs of the land were to be considered as free people if they would spend a year and a day within the boundaries of the city. Such privileges gave the status of Imperial Immediacy to Bremen.

In October 1631, the citizens of Bremen feared Swedish Supremacy over the city as it already had the upper hand in the matters handled by the Prince- Archbishopric. Hence, the city made an appeal for the status of Imperial Immediacy, which was granted by Ferdinand III in the year 1646.

The Swedish Bremen-Verden waged their first war against Bremen that lasted from March to July in the year of 1654. It is known as the First Bremian War. The War culminated in November the same year, but it left the question of Bremen’s status of Imperial Immediacy unresolved.

On 15th November 1666, at the end of the Second Bremian War, Sweden signed the treaty of Habenhausen, whereby the Swedish army agreed to destroy all the fortresses that were built close to the city of Bremen. This event marked the year that gave Bremen its permanent status of Imperial Immediacy.

The city

The architecture of Bremen is influenced by the Baroque style. The Market Square in the city is the finest example of this style of architecture. The city is home to a Town Hall and a Roland statue that is labeled as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The streets in the city are filled with patrician houses. The overall ambiance of the city will give one the feeling of having time traveled in the past to the medieval times.

Close to two thousand brass and steel nails act as a map for the visitors. These nails stretch from the Courtyard of The Church of Our Lady to the Market Square. Various small cafes and shops in the city are enough to quench the visitor’s quest for the finer things in life such as deliciously brewed coffee, finest quality chocolates, rare species, and the best beers from across the world.

Bremen is a city filled with friendly people, beautiful architecture and magnanimous traces of history across the modern streets. Once inside the city, you can visit all the highlights of the city in just a single day. A beautiful gray windmill surrounded by flowers, the hallmark of Bremen’s history-The Town Hall, or a sculpture based on a Fairytale, all that you need to treat yourself to a fun day is right here at Bremen.

Traveling in the city

Bremen is a beautiful city marked by traces of history at every nook and corner. If you are a History buff, you will be delighted by a visit to the MarktPlatz, where every object reminds you of the medieval age. Here is where you will find a Cathedral that is more than a thousand years old and a coffee house that is Germany’s oldest one till date.

The Town Hall takes one back during the Renaissance Era. It is a vast and magnificent monument. It went through quite a lot of repairs in 1612. The Town Hall also functions as the state wine cellar and at 10,000 sterling, you can try out a flagon from 1653.

If you are on a lookout for some solitary moments in the city, the Schnoor is the place to be. An old fishing quarter with quite a number of cottages is the perfect place to spend some quality time. Small kids will simply enjoy the environment there.

As you explore the city even further, you will find that every part of Bremen consist of a building that either provides entertainment or information or both.

Why visit?

Bremen is a city that has something to offer to everyone who pays a visit. The city is home to beautiful and informative museums and galleries, beautiful gardens as well as a thriving nightlife. From a Town Hall that also acts as the State Wine Cellar, to a five- storey Elephant, the city is packed with visuals that both amuse and delight its visitors.

While ancient ships will take you back in time, space stations and rocket parts will make you believe that the past and the future can co-exist under one roof.

Medieval times and a modern era come together in Bremen to give you the experience of a lifetime that you deserve. Bremen might not be the perfect place to be, but it sure is one amazingly beautiful city to spend time in.

Major attractions

The Town Hall: Apart from being the seat of the President of the Senate of Bremen, the Town Hall is home to 12 of the oldest wines in the world. The building is a part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site.

St. Peter’s Cathedral: Built in the 13th century, this cathedral is one of most visited sites in Bremen because it includes sculptures of David, Moses, Peter and Paul and Charlemagne.

The Schnoor: This one is a narrow, crooked lane that lies between the cathedral and the river. One can witness fishermen’s houses dating back to the 17th and 18th century there. In addition to this, the area is also filled with cafe shops and art galleries, giving it an artistic touch.

Universum Science Centre: This one will appeal to all the think tanks in the world. It is a modern science museum that is sure to rouse your curiosity about science and its mysteries even further.

The Rhododendron- Park Bremen: It is a place where a variety of Rhododendrons and azaleas are kept. It also has a botanical garden. Botanika, a nature museum within the botanical garden functions similar to the Universum, but it imparts information on biological subjects.

The Kunsthalle Bremen: It is an art museum that displays paintings from the 19th as well as the 20th century. The prominent feature about this museum is that it is maintained by the citizens of Bremen.