Bremen Market Square & Rathaus, Germany

Bremen’s Market Square (Marktplatz) is the historic heart of the Hanseatic city and one of the finest medieval squares in northern Germany. Its centrepiece is the Town Hall (Rathaus), begun around 1405 in Brick Gothic style and given a magnificent Weser Renaissance façade between 1608 and 1612 by the architect Lüder von Bentheim. Standing in front of it is the 5.5-metre stone statue of Roland, carved in 1404 as a symbol of the city’s independence and trading rights. Remarkably, the town hall is the only late-medieval city hall in Central Europe never destroyed or structurally rebuilt, surviving even the air raids of the Second World War when much of the city was flattened. In 2004 the Town Hall and Roland were together inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

What to See

The square is framed by a remarkable ensemble of landmarks: the ornately gabled Rathaus, the guildhall known as the Schütting (still the seat of the chamber of commerce), the state parliament (Bürgerschaft) and, just beyond, the twin towers of St Peter’s Cathedral. The Roland statue holds his sword of justice and a shield bearing the imperial double-headed eagle; legend says Bremen will stay free and independent for as long as he keeps watch. Just off the northwest corner stands the much-loved bronze of the Town Musicians of Bremen — the donkey, dog, cat and rooster of the Brothers Grimm tale — where visitors grasp the donkey’s front legs for luck. Inside the Rathaus, guided tours take in the grand Upper Hall with its model sailing ships suspended from the ceiling and the exquisite Art Nouveau Golden Chamber (Güldenkammer). Below the building lies the Ratskeller, a historic wine cellar that holds the oldest cask of wine in Germany, dating from 1653.

How to Get There and Practical Information

The Market Square is at Am Markt 21, 28195 Bremen, in the pedestrianised old town — an easy 10-minute walk south from Bremen Central Station (Hauptbahnhof). Numerous tram and bus lines stop at Domsheide, a few steps from the square, while the Obernstraße stop lies just to the west. Public transport or walking is strongly advised, as the historic centre is largely car-free. The square and the Roland statue are open and free to visit at any time. The interior of the Town Hall can be seen only on a guided tour (around €9.50 for adults, reduced for teenagers and free for children under 12); tours run several times daily but are released for booking only about a month ahead and may be cancelled when official ceremonies take place, so check the schedule before you go. The nearby Ratskeller is open to visitors as a restaurant and wine bar.