Interesting Facts

For much of its history, Bremen was governed by its merchants, which made it a free city state. This was in sharp contrast to the other German principalities that were governed by federal barons. Today, Bremen governs itself and is the smallest state in the Federal Republic.
Bremen is Germany's oldest and second largest port and one of the most prosperous cities. The city grew from a little fishing settlement on a shady slope on the right bank of the Weser River. Today, Bremen is home to more than 500,000 residents.
Bremen's B�rgerpark is a beautiful park with plenty of space. In fact, the park is twice the size of Hyde Park in London. The park contains old wartime bunkers that are too sturdy to be blown up. Local artists have decorated the permanent fixtures with murals that depict political scenes.
Here piggy, piggy! Swine used to be driven to market via Bremen's main shopping street, Sogestrasse. A life-sized bronze statue of pigs, swineherd, and a dog stands at the beginning of the avenue.
The twin towered Dom was the former seat of one of medieval Germany's archbishops. Today, it serves as a Protestant church. Watch out for any young men who may be sweeping the steps. The chore was a traditional penance for the young men who turned thirteen without finding themselves a wife!
Fish anyone? When it comes to eating, Bremen is known in particular for its fish and especially its eel! If that's not tempting your appetite, the city also offers a variety of other foods in its local bistros and caf�s!
Bremen is one of Germany's most renowned beer cities. Its brewer's guild was founded in 1489 and is the oldest guild in the country. Bremen is the home of Becks and St. Pauli's Girl, two favorite international beverages.
A statue of Roland, the nephew of Charlemagne, stands in the market area of Bremen. He was erected in 1404 as a symbol of the city's independence from its archbishops. As the city's protector, the statue's existence ensures the continuance of the freedom of the city. During medieval times, the statue's knees were used as a measure for cloth. The distance between the two equaled one ell.
Bremen was once known as the "Rome of the North." The title was due to the fact that the city served as the departure point for the missionaries who converted the Scandinavians to Christianity.
When you arrive in Bremen, "the ancient town by the gray river," you will quickly come to realize that Bremen is tied closely to the sea. Coffee, cacao, tropical fruit, lumber, and tobacco fill the air with the smells that give Bremen an international flavor.