Hamburg + Bremen

"Bremer Freimarkt" is one of the oldest fairs in Germany, first held in 1035 after Emperor Conrad II (aka "Conrad the Older") had granted the right to hold a fair to Archbishop Bezelin. In the 14th century the right was transferred to the civil authorities and since 1339 the word "Freimarkt" was used. Not only goods were traded, but as well "entertainment" entered the Freimarkt. Already in 1445 a lion got displayed here, followed by bears, monkeys and camels. Today about four million visitors come to Bremen each year during Freimarkt. Seen here is the market place, where the "Kleiner Freimarkt" is held. To the left is the "Bremen City Hall", to the right the cathedral. The stall (left) is decorated with the "Bremer Stadtmusikanten" ("Town Musicians of Bremen"), a popular fairy tale retrieved and recorded by the Brothers Grimm.

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 lead 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 reopend in 1901. The northern tower had collapsed in the 17th century, it was newly erected from its foundations. The two now identic towers were completed in 1892. Seen in front is a part of the Bremen Town Hall.

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 lead 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 reopend in 1901. The northern tower had collapsed in the 17th century, it was newly erected from its foundations. The two now identic towers were completed in 1892.

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 lead 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 reopend in 1901. The former catholic cathedral belongs to the Bremian Evangelical Church.

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 lead 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 reopend in 1901. The former catholic cathedral belongs to the Bremian Evangelical Church.

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 lead 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 reopend in 1901. The former catholic cathedral belongs to the Bremian Evangelical Church.

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 lead 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 reopend in 1901. The former catholic cathedral belongs to the Bremian Evangelical Church. It was rather dark inside the church in late October. Sorry! This carving from the stalls depicts the adoration of the Magi.

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 lead 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 reopend in 1901. The former catholic cathedral belongs to the Bremian Evangelical Church. It was rather dark inside the church in late October. Sorry! This carving depicts the Nativity. Joseph is dreaming, Mary is in childbed - and Jesus is sitting in the bathtub. A "first bath".

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.