Chasing Summer –

Prices started to increase dramatically in Hamburg, so it was a good time to head out of town. The group I was traveling with split up and headed in several directions.

The boat was being tested today, Wednesday, so we needed to keep occupied until at least the weekend. I decided to go an hour away by train to Bremer for two nights.

I was happy to get a little alone time, and I needed to do some laundry too, so day one was pretty much travel and laundry. The Ubersee Museum and the railway station are two amazing buildings right by my hotel.

Bremen has a website that offers a free downloadable walking tour for tourists. It’s a great way to get around the city for free. I also picked up a free city map at my hotel to help guide myself around.

Free Audio Guide: An Audio Walk through Bremen

The guide starts at the Church of Our Lady Square and then heads to the Marketplatz (market square). At this square are the State Parliament (1966) and other historical houses. 1200 years of history, actually.

It started to rain when I was here and tour groups stood around blocking a lot of the best pictures. I had to be extra patient to get a clear picture of Roland. Not really clear on who the dude is but there are 26 statues of him in Germany.

Across the square is the Rathaus/Town Hall, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was built in the 1400s (like literally between 1400 and 1410).

The Guildhall or Merchant is the location to the camber of commerce. The building was built in 1537/38. There is a lot in one little square.

My favorite part of the walk had to be Bottcherstrasse- literally Boettcher Street. Now, unlike some family names that are parts of clans or areas, the name Boettcher is a profession – specifically making copper casks – and in Bremer, this street is where that used to happen.

The area had fallen into disrepair, and after the German defeat in WWI, it was revitalized to show new strength. It is a very popular high street now with craft stores, gourmet shops, museums, and restaurants.

Bottcherstrasse leads to St. Martin’s Quay where there are old style ships and I think some river cruises. Again it was raining, so I didn’t spend too much time here.

From the riverfront, I headed to Schnoor Quarter. Excellent name. This is the oldest neighborhood in Bremen, with houses dating from the 15 to the 16th centuries. They are jammed together on narrow winding roads.

I stopped for lunch of Bremen Sausage and a Becks beer. I liked the sausage but didn’t care for the beer. I find it bitter and not very tasty.

From Schnoor, I headed back to the middle of the old town to see St. Peter’s Cathedral. It is 1200 years old and has the distinction of not burning down or being damaged in the WWII bombings.

The most famous landmark seems to be the Musicians a sculpture form 1953. This isn’t the first time I’ve seen it, there is a copy in Riga, I’m not sure why the Bremen people have adopted it so fercely, but it is based on a fairy tale. There are so many souviners and other renditions of the statue around town.

This is a quaint little city and worth wandering around for a day.