Bremen - Cathedral

Charlemagne founded, during the Saxon Wars, the diocese of Bremen. In 787 Saint Willehad became the first Bishop. He erected the first (wooden) church here in 789. Three years later Saxons attacked Bremen and burned down its timber cathedral. The "new" cathedral, erected by Willehad´s successors burnt down with many buildings around in 1041 due to arson.

The cathedral was rebuilt as a pillared basilica. A (still existing) crypt was built under the west part of the nave. The archbishop even brought craftsmen from Lombardy to embellish the cathedral. This may have been expensive, so he tried to be pennywise, by tearing down parts of the fortification and using the stones for the cathedral. This was not wise, as it led to the return of the Saxons, sacking Bremen and the cathedral in 1064.

The cathedral again was rebuilt probably within the 12th century, the lower storeys of the western façade and towers are constructed in Romanesque style. Continuing the construction over the next centuries, the styles changed.

What is seen today is largely the result of a reconstruction of the 19th century, after the citizens had decided to restore the cathedral to its medieval glory. The cathedral was reopened in 1901. The former catholic cathedral belongs to the Bremian Evangelical Church.

Elephants on medieval carvings are a rare species. This carving may be connected to rumours about the "Cremona Elephant", a gift to Frederick II by Sultan Al-Kamil in 1229 or the elephant Louis IX presented to Henry III. This elephant died in cold and wet London in 1258.

The elephant here has a very short trunk - but carries an enormous castle. And seen here is - how a soldier is able to kill an elephant.