Lost in time whispers of Vikings. Before you stands the Wikingerzeit in Marßel Sculpture. It’s a powerful reminder of Bremen’s rich past. This wasn’t always a peaceful place. For centuries Marßel was home to powerful knights. They held sway over the land. The Marßel family’s story is woven into Bremen’s history. The Wikingerzeit in Marßel Sculpture celebrates this heritage.
The sculpture itself isn’t just about Vikings. It also shows the longer history of Marßel. Long before the Vikings came people lived here. Evidence suggests that reindeer hunters camped here around 9000 BC. Later a late Copper Age settlement flourished. A Roman Terra-Sigillata bowl was found nearby. This dates back to around 150 AD. It hints at the ancient trade route passing through Marßel. This route connected Lübeck and Brabant. The Vikings’ arrival certainly impacted Marßel. Yet Marßel was already old. It bore witness to history long before their ships landed.
The first written records of Marßel refer to the area between the dyke and the slope. Knights of Marßel are mentioned in a 1388 document. They’re also called the knights of Kehdingen. A document from 1185 mentions Gerwardus von Mercele. That means Marßel has been recorded for centuries. It has a legacy long before this impressive sculpture.
In 1388 the Marßel family sold land. They sold to Bremen’s city council. This land was used to build the Steindamm. It was a sturdy winter-proof access route. The last mention of a knight from Marßel is in 1457. Around 1500 the estate passed to the Wagenfeld family. Over the years Marßel saw many owners. The Lilienburg family owned it. They were related to the Swedish royal family. The story of Carl Friedrich von Lilienburg is particularly interesting. He was born in Haarlem in 1679. His mother was a princess. She was involved in a significant scandal. His father was only made a Baron of Lilienburg after a lot of drama. Carl Friedrich eventually acquired Marßel. He only enjoyed his estate briefly. He died in 1729. He was buried in Lesum with grand ceremonies.
Marßel changed over time. It wasn’t just a farming village. In 1851 it had ten farms. These farms owned 1321 Morgen of land. There were also 15 families. They also had two innkeepers a merchant a wheelwright and a roofer. A Blutholzmühle existed. A brewer even set up shop on the estate. Jewish families also settled in Marßel. In 1851 the Lesum synagogue moved to Marßel. Dr Adolph Goldberg a Marßel native opened his doctor’s practice in 1888.
The Wikingerzeit in Marßel Sculpture stands as a testament to this long and layered history. It’s more than just a Viking sculpture. It’s a symbol of resilience adaptation and the enduring spirit of a community. It’s a symbol of Marßel’s long past. It’s a place where history unfolds before your very eyes.