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Bremen, the dynamic heart of northwest Germany and the traditional home of the Bremen Town Musicians, has many faces. It is an exciting port city and a hotbed of innovation, where Hanseatic history, cutting edge technology, science and space travel unite to form a fascinating whole.
This cosmopolitan city on the Weser river can look back at over 1,200 years of history. Highlights include the ornate Weser Renaissance town hall and the Roland statue on the historic market square (both UNESCO World Heritage sites since 2004), the Schnoor – the city's oldest quarter, the delightful architecture in Böttcherstrasse and the cathedral. Bremen's best-known monument and its emblem is the statue of the Town Musicians featuring the donkey, dog, cat and rooster from the Brothers Grimm fairytale.
With exciting interactive exhibitions and science centres, highly regarded universities and pioneering technologies, Bremen has been responsible for a number of projects that prove science doesn't have to be dry and boring. It's easy to see why Bremen and its sister town of Bremerhaven were awarded Germany's first City of Science award in 2005.
Cologne has its carnival, Munich has its beer festival... and Bremen? In Bremen the celebrations go
on all year round! There's something for everyone – with stage entertainment courtesy of a host of colourful characters, from daring acrobats and twinkle-toed dancers to chart-breaking pop acts.
Christmas market and ‘Schlachte Zauber’
the festive season bathes Bremen in a soft light; fairy lights, candles and the lovingly adorned stalls create a special atmosphere that enchants more and more visitors every year. The air is full of delicious aromas – freshly roasted almonds, gingerbread and “Glühwein”. There are more than 160 Christmas stalls, wonderfully romantic and beautifully decorated, assembled right in front of the 600-year-old town hall, now a UNESCO World Heritage site, on the historical market square and in the shopping arcades.
Follow the illuminated circular tour from the Christmas market to Bremen’s defining feature, the River Weser. The popular Schlachte Embankment that runs beside it truly captures the magical festive spirit with historical, seasonal and maritime attractions.
Flowing through the heart of Bremen is the Weser river. This old trading route was the driving force behind the city's emergence as a proud Hanseatic centre. Bremen's sea-faring traditions are still alive and well today and have a big part to play in its unique appeal.
The Schlachte Embankment runs right beside the Weser river and is a magnet for locals and tourists alike. The banks of the river are lined with cafés and restaurants; from their various terraces and gardens you can watch a procession of modern and old-fashioned boats as they pass by the quayside. Bremen's fast-growing Überseestadt area is home to unusual venues, trendy restaurants and nautically-themed eateries. This vibrant new community for the 21st century has transformed what was once the city docks.
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