See this stone hen? This is Die Gluckhenne. She’s more than just a statue. She’s a legend. A story etched in stone. Right here on the Bremen Rathaus facade.
For centuries Die Gluckhenne has watched over Bremen. She sits proudly on her nest. Four fluffy chicks nestle beneath her wings. A woman in flowing robes shelters them. This isn’t just decoration. It’s a symbol. A symbol of Bremen’s founding. At least according to one popular story.
The tale of Die Gluckhenne began in the 19th century. A Bremen storyteller named Friedrich Wagenfeld spun a yarn. He linked Die Gluckhenne to Bremen’s origins. His story speaks of fleeing fishermen. They sought refuge on the Weser River. Harried by enemies they desperately searched for a new home. Exhausted and hopeless they saw a hen leading her chicks to safety.
This they took as a good omen. Where a hen could find shelter so too could they. They settled. They built. They founded Bremen. A haven of freedom. A city born from a hen’s safe nest.
But this charming tale is just that: a tale. A beautiful story. The truth is more complex. More subtle. The Bremen city council originally commissioned Die Gluckhenne. They placed her there around 1612. They intended her as a symbol of their care for their citizens. Vigilantia. Watchful care. A protective mother hen. Opposite Die Gluckhenne is a woman holding a rooster. This represents Custodia. Protective custody. The woman’s Roman armor is another symbol of vigilance. It shows the council’s commitment to their people.
Die Gluckhenne isn’t just at the Rathaus though. There is another Gluckhenne in Bremen. A bronze sculpture. It stands in the Böttcherstraße. Alfred Horling created it in 1958. This one stands near the Glockenspiel. Its presence only adds to the enduring legend of Die Gluckhenne. The story persists. It lives on in stone and bronze. A story of protection. Of care. And yes of a little bit of luck.