The city is famous for the Bremen Town Musicians, the market square, the Schlachte Embankment and Werder Bremen football club. But it is also known as a hub for logistics, science and the automotive and aerospace industries, and as a bike-friendly city that is full of green spaces. To be honest, there is no reason to be modest, though that would be typical of Bremen too…
Although they never reached their intended destination, the Bremen Town Musicians are still local heroes. In the fairytale of the Brothers Grimm, the quartet of domestic animals finds a new home in a forest on their way to Bremen by scaring away the bandits who are living there. Since then, the donkey, dog, cat and rooster have become symbols for, and ambassadors of, the Hanseatic city. The most famous sculpture of them, created by sculptor Gerhard Marcks in 1951, can be found outside the western end of the town hall. There are many other representations of them in Bremen, for example the bronze figures created by artist Bernhard Hoetger by the Fountain of the Seven Lazy Brothers in Böttcherstrasse, and several others around the world.
The most historical part of Bremen will make any passer-by smile, whether they are a tourist or a local. The church, the town hall, proud merchants and free citizens – history comes to life here, and all parts of society are represented in the architecture. Bremen town hall, built between 1405 and 1409 in the style of the Weser Renaissance, is part of an exceptional ensemble of buildings around the market square that includes the Schütting (guildhall), the State Parliament and the cathedral. The town hall's magnificent exterior houses the art nouveau Golden Chamber, a marble lobby and the old-established Ratskeller. The Upper Hall of the town hall, featuring model ships hanging from the ceiling, is used for ceremonial occasions, such as the Schaffermahl banquet. The town hall, together with the Roland statue that stands before it, was added to the list of UNESCO World Heritage sites in 2004.
Whenever the sun shines, the focus of city life moves to the restaurants and cafés along the Schlachte Embankment. This historical embankment on the Weser river oozes maritime charm throughout the year, and it has been a vital part of Bremen life and its economy for over a thousand years. Barges, pleasure boats, small yachts, motor and rowing boats, and lovingly restored sailing vessels all make their way along this picturesque stretch. Downriver towards the railway bridge, the river becomes a route for maritime shipping, and the proximity to the sea is visible every day as the tides influence water levels in the city. When there is flooding, the floodplains upriver along Osterdeich are partially submerged. A stroll along the road of the same name brings you to magnificent mercantile villas and affords excellent views of the Weser Stadium in its idyllic setting. There is a small ferry here that will take you to the other side. A short walk away is Werdersee lake, which is perfect for swimming and water sports.
The federal state of Bremen is one of the world's top employers in the aerospace sector. Local businesses generate an impressive €4 billion in revenue, and some of the world's leading aerospace companies are based here. There are training opportunities for young people and courses in aerospace engineering at the local university. Running over several months, Sternstunden 2018 will celebrate Bremen's history in space exploration through activities, exhibitions and competitions, and bring it to life for locals and visitors alike.
Bremen's history as a hub for the automotive industry dates back more than 110 years. The federal state has established itself as a centre of industry innovation and know-how that covers manufacturers, suppliers and service providers. Famous names such as Mercedes-Benz stand for internationally renowned expertise, and there is an extensive supplier network for raw materials, logistics, electronics and much more besides. At the world's largest Mercedes factory, 100,000 new vehicles are manufactured every year and then shipped around the globe.
The federal state of Bremen's proximity to the river and the sea make it a real gateway to the world. Consequently, the maritime economy has always played an important role and is still one of the key sectors in the region. The facts speak for themselves – Bremen is home to Europe's largest warehouse, and its cargo distribution centre is the largest in Germany and the second biggest in Europe.
The Universum Science Center in Bremen and the Klimahaus in Bremerhaven are the architectural embodiment of the state's importance as a hub for science and innovation. The technology park around the university is home to several leading research organisations, such as the Max Planck Institute and the Fraunhofer Institute. Bremen's connection to the sea is set to continue, with people across the federal state working on a future that embraces the region's maritime heritage. And the next generation of innovators is also thriving here. Compared to the national average, Bremen had the highest number of entries in the 'Jugend forscht' youth science competition in 2017.
With all this productivity and innovation, what better way to let off steam than by getting around by bicycle. The city's many parks, tree-lined streets and short distances between key destinations make cycling the preferred method of transport. According to a recent survey of 15 major German cities by the German Automobile Association (ADAC), cyclists voted Bremen third for satisfaction. On a European level, Bremen is one of the most bike-friendly cities with more than half a million inhabitants. The many signs for cycle paths make it easy to find your way around, and the city's urban structure, which has evolved over time, provides a bike-friendly and green network. What's more, the Weser Cycle Route also runs through the centre, and the German Cyclists' Federation (ADFC) organises hundreds of cycle tours in and around Bremen every year.
Bremen's inhabitants sometimes jokingly refer to the city as a "village with a tram". One of the reasons behind this is surely the many parks and recreational areas in the city, such as the picturesque Wallanlagen around the centre and the nearby Schlachte Embankment and Osterdeich on the banks of the Weser river. One of the most popular destinations is the Bürgerpark, a largely privately financed haven of green built in 1866 that covers more than 200 hectares. Other popular spots include Rhododendron Park in the district of Horn and the area around Werdersee lake. All this and more makes Bremen the greenest city in Germany.
It's not just the parks that are green, the local football team, Werder Bremen, is too. Admittedly, things do not always go to plan at the Weser Stadium, even if it has one of the most idyllic settings of any sporting arena. But the fans' loyalty to their team in green and white does not depend on their position in the table. So far, the team has won the championship four times (in 1965, 1988, 1994 and 2004) and the German Cup six times. Werder Bremen are ranked second in the all-time Bundesliga table behind Bayern Munich. And when there is another championship to celebrate, there will be no better place to do so than on Bremen's market square.
Bremen is without a doubt a hotspot for foodies and chocaholics, and it is also the coffee capital of Germany. Many of the local culinary specialities are either very sweet or very hearty – kale and pinkel sausage, for example, is a well-known and highly popular dish. There is even a local custom called the 'kale tour', where you enjoy a supper of kale and sausage at the end of a schnapps-fuelled walk. Other traditional dishes include knipp (oatmeal with meat) and labskaus (a mix of mashed potatoes and salted meat). Naturally, fish is always in season. In spring, smelt is often served with bratkartoffeln and a fried egg.
The sweet-toothed can enjoy klaben (not to be confused with stollen cake), kluten or schnoorkuller. And a babbeler, a combination of cough sweet and candy cane available in tea shops and pharmacies, can even be used to sweeten your tea.
Made in Bremen, sold around the world: these eight products are hugely popular at home and abroad.
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