We absolutely loved Bremen, and were so glad that we included it in our trip. Since it was only two hours from Hameln, we were able to get there early enough to see most of the old town. There are tons of pictures, but I couldn't edit it down anymore!
Don't know the deal with this fountain, but check out the fountain pictured after the Dom.
Stalls set up on the Marktplatz around the churches. The flower stalls reminded me of the Nertherlands.
There were two cathedrals on the Marktplatz (maybe one isn't considered a cathedral, but it was a big-old church, then.) The Frauenkirche or Church of Our Lady, and the Dom St. Petri, pictured below.
Mosaics on the face of the Dom.
One of the doors on the main entrance.
It was remarkably colorful inside. I loved all the mosaics.
Loved the pulpit...
View of the Alte Rathaus (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) from the steps of the Dom.
Same horn players, all grown up?
The Rathaus is over 560 years old, and is ornamented like crazy! Foundations are Gothic, but the upper portion is what is known as "Weser-Rennaisance" style. The windows are seperated by statues of Charlemagne and the electors of the Holy Roman Empire.
While we were standing on the Platz taking it all in, an elderly German gentleman approached us and started prattling off all kinds of Bremen history to us. There was some story about how, on the building site they originally found a chicken, or there was a chicken house, or something... anyway, that's why they included the chicken in the lady's hand below. The kind gentleman then inadvertently joined us for lunch, when he ran into us again at the Karstadt cafe. :) He was sweet, it was fun.
This is the famous statue of Roland, the city's protector. Local legend has it, that as long as the statue remains erect in the Marktplatz, Bremen will survive as a free city. During WWII, extensive measures were taken to protect it from allied bombing.
The Schoetting - a 16th century guild hall used by the chamber of commerce. Perhaps "gild" is more like it?
And here they are, the famous Bremen Town Musicians...
And with their newest fan...
These next pictures are from an area called Boettcherstrasse, which is a brick-paved reconstruction of a medieval alley, complete with shops and restaurants. I got a real kick out of it, as it definitely had the medieval feel, but since it was built in the 20's, it's medieval - with a distinctly Art Nouveau flair.
The glockenspiel strung between these rooftops plays for 15 minutes 3 times a day.
Checkout the aquarium in the wall below the statue!
Statues on the gables... almost didn't see them the first time through!
These next pictures are from the Schnoor, the adorable, little, old quarter of Bremen. It is composed of tiny cottages, once the sinple homes of fishermen, which have been converted into fun shops and restaurants. Lots of fun to stroll around and window-shop...
From the window of a shop selling only little toys that you construct out of paper... can't think of what they're called...
Luna found some friends...
Now, THIS is a tiny alley! We got Luna's stroller good and wedged in there when we tried to squeeze through!
Loved these windows...
"Stoffe" is fabric. Wish this place was closer to home!!
I'm not sure what these two are doing, but it looks complicated, and uncomfortable... the street sculptures in Bremen were abundant and fun.
Another shot of the Marktplatz, with the Frauenkirche in the background.
Thought these trees lit up on this little square made it quite pretty by night.
Buildings on the Marktplatz by night. The one furthest to the right is the Beck's Brewhouse.
The Rathaus by night... we were dining in the Ratskeller, which my book recommended as one of the best in Germany. (It is quite common to have a "cellar" which functions as a restaurant, and frequently a brewery - in the Rathaus or townhall. In this case it doesn't even serve beer but has one of the longest wine lists of German vintage in the world. Not that we drank any... :))
View from our table.
I wa strying to take these pictures quickly and discreetly, so forgive the quality - but the main room had several of these huge carved wine barrels.
And along the opposite wall, this beautiful carved woodwork, with doors enclosing private, curtained booths. I would have loved to have taken a picture of the interior of one, but I thought that might be a bit obtuse considering it was dinner time!
And the food was, indeed, worth the praise given by my guide book! We had a great meal!
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