A question hangs in the air. What stories could these walls tell if they could talk? This is Heinekens Park, home to the Hofmeierhaus. It is a place where history and nature intertwine. Heinekens Park is not just a park. It is a landmark in Bremen-Oberneuland. The address is Oberneulander Landstraße 151. It includes the historic Hofmeierhaus. Since 1973, both the park and the estate have been under historical preservation.
Let’s step back in time. Hermann Post, a state archivist, acquired the estate in the 17th century. Later, it passed to Albert Schumacher. He was a councilor. Schumacher transformed it into a country estate. He even had statues made. These were replicas from Fredensborg Palace in Denmark. The statues represented the four elements. You would have seen fire, water, air and earth. Today, only three statues remain in Heinekens Park. The earth statue is in the Focke Museum’s Riensberg Park.
In 1782, Christian Abraham Heineken inherited the estate. He was a councilor and mayor from 1792. Around 1790, the Hofmeierhaus was built. Heineken commissioned a park around the estate. Wealthy families loved country life. They built summer homes and gardens. Gottlieb Altmann helped design the 27-hectare park. He also designed Ichons Park.
Originally, Heinekens Park was a baroque garden. It had putti and manicured hedges. Later, parts were changed into a romantic landscape park. The hedge rondell is remarkable. It dates back to 1770. It features a hornbeam hedge. It stands 6.25 meters tall. Arched openings surround an oval lawn. It measures 50 by 39 meters. A path surrounds the rondell. Another 2-meter hedge borders the path.
The single-story manor house is also called Haus Schumacher. It was built around 1790. It reflects classicism. In 1871, Gustav Runge expanded it. It gained a seven-axis design. A two-story central projection has a gable. In the 1920s, heating was installed. The house became habitable in winter. As of 2018, the renovated property contains seven apartments.
In 1970, there were plans to develop the park. Protests partially prevented this. A residential high-rise was built near the park’s northern border. The Heineken family gave the city the southern part of the property. This part is 2.7 hectares. Since 1975, it has been a public park. It features the hedge rondell and rare trees. Rudolf Stein called Heinekens Park Bremen’s most valuable garden.
Today, Heinekens Park continues to enchant. It reminds us of Bremen’s rich history. It is a green oasis. It is a testament to the vision of those who shaped it. Take a moment to appreciate the beauty. Consider the stories of the families. Think about the architects and gardeners who created this unique place.