What’s a “Granat” anyway? Well, here in Bremerhaven, standing before the Granatfrau statue, it’s more than just a word. It’s a taste of history, a memory of a bygone era. The Granatfrau, sculpted by Gerhard Olbrich in 1987, isn’t just any statue. It’s Bremerhaven’s first monument dedicated to a woman. She represents the hardworking women who once sold shrimp, known locally as “Granat,” from handcarts along Bürgermeister-Smidt-Straße. One of these women, Käthe Matschuck, even served as the model for this poignant sculpture. Imagine her, pulling her cart ten kilometers from Lehe to the Geeste. There, she would buy fresh Granat directly from the fishing cutters. Then, she’d make the long trek back to her usual spot at Hafenstraße and Kistnerstraße. Her distinctive cry of “Graaanaaat, Graaanaaat!” echoed through the streets, a familiar sound in the 1950s and 60s. Children would tease her with a little rhyme, “Smiet op de stroot. Smiet nich so wiet, wie heb keen tied” which translates to “Throw it on the street. Don’t throw it so far, we don’t have time”. Käthe wasn’t alone. Many other men and women, known as the “Granatfrauen” and “Granatmänner,” plied their trade until the 1970s. The Granatfrau statue, a gift from the Städtische Sparkasse Bremerhaven, serves as a reminder of their hard work and dedication. It’s a tribute to the resilience of these ordinary people who became a part of Bremerhaven’s unique character. So next time you enjoy a shrimp, remember the Granatfrau and her legacy here in Bremerhaven.
Friedenskirche
From its humble beginnings to its current state Friedenskirche continues to serve its community. It demonstrates Bremerhaven’s enduring spirit resilience