The top attractions in Bremen
If you like contrast, go to Bremen, Germany. It is both Germany’s smallest state as well as among its largest cities, with a population of around 660,000. Bremen’s appeal, however, lies in its surprising blend of old and new, where historic neighborhoods filled with charming, age-old buildings are juxtaposed with newer high-tech sites that typically draw a wired, younger crowd. But if you are a first-time visitor to Bremen, here are the top 2 attractions of the city that you should not miss.
1. Bremen’s Marktplatz
This should be at the top of your list. Located in the heart of Bremen, this historic square is dominated by the city’s huge Rathaus (Town Hall), considered to be one of the loveliest civic buildings in Germany. Originally a Gothic building dating from 1410, it nevertheless features a Weser Renaissance facade that was worked in during the 17th century. The statues here are of Charlemagne and the seven electors, and an 18-foot (5.5-meter) one of Roland, Believed to be the tallest of the 26 statues of Roland still in existence in Germany. There is also a 1951 Gerhard Marcks bronze here, the ‘Street Musicians of Bremen’.
2. St Petri-Dom
The St Petri-Dom (St Peter’s Cathedral), with its tall spires, is also located on the Marktplatz and predates the Rathaus. It was originally built in the 11th century and subsequently altered, a bit at a time, in the 13th, 16th and 19th centuries. However, much of its interior is original, and it houses a small Gottfried Silberman organ that is believed to be the only such piece outside Saxony. As an added attraction, the cathedral’s Bleikeller (Lead Cellar) has eight well-preserved mummified bodies in glass coffins.…