Bremer residents may know that the city is full of exciting stories, works of art and memorable places hidden away from the classic sights. Today, we are standing in front of the Windwelle Sculpture.
Have you ever noticed this sculpture? It is often worth taking a second look. The Windwelle Sculpture is installed around the city. You are sure to find one with a story that catches your imagination.
Many visitors focus on the Town Hall, Roland Statue and Cathedral. However, there is a wealth of information about all the artworks installed around the city.
The Bremen Town Musicians are without doubt the pride and joy of the Hanseatic city. A bronze statue created by Gerhard Marcks in 1953 stands in the heart of Bremen. It is a tribute to the popular fairytale by the Brothers Grimm. According to the story, a donkey, a dog, a cat and a rooster set off on a journey to Bremen in search of a better life.
The statue of the animals by Gerhard Marcks might not be life-size. Yet, it has not diminished its popularity with locals and visitors alike. The city’s pride and joy can be found on the left, western side of the town hall. If you follow Schoppensteel street from the Church of Our Lady towards Domshof, you simply cannot miss the statue.
Once you have found the Bremen Town Musicians, you will notice the donkey’s shiny front legs. Touching them is meant to bring good luck. While you’re there, you should take the opportunity to make a wish. But make sure that you don’t just rub one leg with only one hand. There is a saying in Bremen that it’s just one donkey shaking the hand of another.
In 1404, the stone Roland was erected in front of Bremen’s town hall. From the very beginning, it was a symbolic figure for the city’s freedoms and rights. Since 2004, Bremen’s landmark has shared a place on UNESCO’s World Heritage List with the well worth seeing Town Hall.
One of Bremen’s best-known landmarks is the 10-metre-high Roland statue in front of the historic town hall on the market square. Bremen’s Roland has stood guard over the city’s freedom and rights since 1404. It is not only popular with Bremen residents and tourists. UNESCO experts have declared it the most representative and beautiful Roland monument in Germany. The Roland statue and the town hall have been on the UNESCO World Heritage List since July 2004.
Over a distance of around 1.5 kilometres, around 2000 marker points indicate a tour along the most important sights. This is a wonderful way to explore Bremen on foot. You can find out exciting background information about the market square, Town Musicians etc. by listening to our audio guide, which accompanies you along the Nail-Round.
On the Market Square, all eyes and cameras are focussed on the town hall, Roland statue and cathedral. Most of them are standing in the middle of a striking paving stone. This Hanseatic cross used to be emblazoned on the flags of the Hanseatic Legion. The citizens of Bremen, Hamburg and Lübeck fought together in the Wars of Liberation from 1813 to 1815. 4.8 metres in diameter, the cross is still a reminder of times after the Hanseatic League, but also stands for freedom and unity.
You’ve probably already walked across the former river Balge. Its origins take us back to a time when Bremen was still a marshy landscape. The tributary developed into an important waterway. But became smaller and smaller over time as a result of urban expansion and was eventually pushed aside completely. Today, cobblestones mark the almost forgotten branch of the Weser.
I hope you enjoyed this short story about the Windwelle Sculpture and the many other works of art in Bremen. Take a closer look and discover the hidden gems of this Hanseatic city.