How many stories does this ensemble of buildings hold within its walls? We stand before the Amtsgericht Bremen-Blumenthal. It is a cornerstone of justice in Bremen-Nord. The Amtsgericht Bremen-Blumenthal serves the city districts of Blumenthal, Burglesum and Vegesack.
Since 1436, Blumenthal has had its own jurisdiction. Back then, the Amt Blomendal handled administrative tasks. It also handled judicial duties through legal experts. Bremen later acquired the Amt through pledging.
For a time, Sweden controlled the Amt and the Neuenkirchen court. However, Bremen maintained judicial oversight. Later, the Second Stader Comparison transferred the Amt Blumenthal to the Electorate of Hanover. Prussia annexed Hanover in 1866, gaining control over the jurisdiction. The city of Bremen retained patronage rights.
In 1852, Blumenthal separated its judicial and administrative functions. From 1852 to 1879, the Amtsgericht also acted as the Weser Customs Court. Despite this separation, the court shared Haus Blomdal until the late 19th century. It housed a jury room, a treasury, and offices. A prison stood where the current main building of the Amtsgericht Bremen-Blumenthal now stands.
The Unterweser region saw rapid industrial growth. This growth increased the population. A new court building became essential. The current building was inaugurated in 1899. It has been expanded several times.
In 1933, the court prison became a “protective custody camp” for the SA. This takeover was based on the Reichstag Fire Decree. The SA was made auxiliary police after the Reichstag fire.
By March 12, 1933, thirty KPD officials were imprisoned here. By the end of March 1933, ninety members of the workers’ movement were incarcerated. These included 87 communists and three social democrats. Wilhelm Ahrens and Willy Dehnkamp were among them. In 1939, Grohn, Schönebeck, Aumund, Blumenthal, and Farge were incorporated into Bremen. These areas had been part of the district of Osterholz. The Amtsgericht Lesum closed. On January 1, 1943, the Amtsgericht Blumenthal became a Bremen court again.
On July 14, 1945, the Amtsgericht Bremen-Blumenthal resumed operations. This was after an interruption due to the war. The American military government ordered this on June 21, 1945. Initially, British and American authorities argued. They disputed whether to integrate the Amtsgericht Blumenthal. Should it be in the British zone or the American zone? The British zone became Lower Saxony. The American zone later became Bremen. The head of the Legal Division of the British Headquarters clarified. According to a December 10, 1945 agreement, several courts belonged to the Hamburg Higher Regional Court District. These included the Bremen Regional Court, Amtsgericht Bremen, Amtsgericht Wesermünde, Amtsgericht Blumenthal, and Amtsgericht Bremerhaven. This district evolved into the Bremen Higher Regional Court District.
In the 1980s, the Bremen Senate considered closing the Amtsgericht Bremen-Blumenthal. This consideration was due to cost concerns. Massive protests erupted in Bremen-Nord. A guarantee ensured the court would remain open. On January 1, 1989, Burglesum was reassigned. It moved from the Amtsgericht Bremen district to the Amtsgericht Blumenthal district. This change aimed to give the court a more economically viable size.
The address of the Amtsgericht Blumenthal is Landrat-Christians-Straße 65a/67/69, 28779 Bremen. The ensemble is a protected historical monument. It includes the main building, the former court prison, and the former official villa. Built from 1896 to 1899, it expanded in 1913/1914. The buildings feature architectural reform trends. They reflect local building traditions. The current main building was inaugurated on February 11, 1899.
In 1968, a residential building next to the main building was converted. Built in 1896, it originally housed the judge’s residence. It became an annex for the court now known as House B.
The former court prison behind the court building was rarely used. It was converted for the land registry office. The opening took place in June 1997. This followed a three-year renovation.
A memorial plaque at the main building commemorates the hundreds of political opponents. They were imprisoned here in 1933/34. From here, they were sent to prisons and concentration camps. On October 13, 2008, the advisory board decided to place another plaque. It commemorates Margarete Göhner who was murdered in the court prison in December 1936.
As we conclude our visit, remember that this place stands for justice. It stands for remembrance. It connects us to the past.