Town Hall of Bremen
Encyclopedia
The Town Hall of Bremen is the seat of the President of the Senate of Bremen
and of the Mayor of the Free Hanseatic City of Bremen
. It is one of the most important examples of Brick Gothic
architecture in Europe. In July 2004, along with the Bremen Roland
, the building was added to the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites
.
The city hall stands on the market square of the historic town centre. Directly in front of it is the statue of Roland, mentioned above. Opposite the square the Chamber of Commerce is located, to the right are Bremen Cathedral
and the modern parliament building, whilst to the left is Our Lady's Church. On the west side of the square the sculpture The Town Musicians of Bremen
by Gerhard Marcks
is displayed.
The Bremer Schaffermahl is a traditional banquet held in the Town Hall annually.
which overlooks the market. Built in the style of the Weser Renaissance
, the façade features architectural elements based on masters of the Dutch Renaissance, such as Hans Vredeman de Vries
, Hendrik Goltzius
and Jacob Floris. Between 1909 and 1913, the Munich architect Gabriel von Seidl constructed an extension at the back of the building in the style of the Neo-Renaissance
. By boarding up the outer walls, the citizens of Bremen succeeded in protecting the building largely from the bombs of the Second World War
which destroyed more than 60% of the city. The city hall has been restored several times, most recently in 2003.
Senate of Bremen
The Senate of the Free Hanseatic City of Bremen is the government of the city-state of Bremen . The senate has existed since mediæval times. The senate is headed by a President, who also holds the title of Mayor. The President's deputy also holds the title Mayor...
and of the Mayor of the Free Hanseatic City of Bremen
Bremen
The City Municipality of Bremen is a Hanseatic city in northwestern Germany. A commercial and industrial city with a major port on the river Weser, Bremen is part of the Bremen-Oldenburg metropolitan area . Bremen is the second most populous city in North Germany and tenth in Germany.Bremen is...
. It is one of the most important examples of Brick Gothic
Brick Gothic
Brick Gothic is a specific style of Gothic architecture common in Northern Europe, especially in Northern Germany and the regions around the Baltic Sea that do not have natural rock resources. The buildings are essentially built from bricks...
architecture in Europe. In July 2004, along with the Bremen Roland
Bremen Roland
The Bremen Roland is a statue of Roland, erected in 1404. It stands in the market square of Bremen, Germany, facing the cathedral, and shows Roland, paladin of the first Holy Roman Emperor Charlemagne and hero of the Battle of Roncevaux Pass...
, the building was added to the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites
World Heritage Site
A UNESCO World Heritage Site is a place that is listed by the UNESCO as of special cultural or physical significance...
.
The city hall stands on the market square of the historic town centre. Directly in front of it is the statue of Roland, mentioned above. Opposite the square the Chamber of Commerce is located, to the right are Bremen Cathedral
Bremen Cathedral
Bremen Cathedral , dedicated to St. Peter, is a church situated in the market square in the center of Bremen, in northern Germany. The cathedral belongs to the Bremian Evangelical Church, a member of the Protestant umbrella organisation named Evangelical Church in Germany...
and the modern parliament building, whilst to the left is Our Lady's Church. On the west side of the square the sculpture The Town Musicians of Bremen
Town Musicians of Bremen
The Town Musicians of Bremen is a folktale recorded by the Brothers Grimm. Despite the title of the fairy tale, the characters never actually arrive in Bremen...
by Gerhard Marcks
Gerhard Marcks
Gerhard Marcks was a German sculptor, who is also well-known for his drawings, woodcuts, lithographs and ceramics.-Background:...
is displayed.
The Bremer Schaffermahl is a traditional banquet held in the Town Hall annually.
History
The old town hall was built between 1405 and 1409. From 1595 to 1612, the architect Lüder von Bentheim renovated the structure and created the new façadeFacade
A facade or façade is generally one exterior side of a building, usually, but not always, the front. The word comes from the French language, literally meaning "frontage" or "face"....
which overlooks the market. Built in the style of the Weser Renaissance
Weser Renaissance
Weser Renaissance is a form of Renaissance architectural style that is found in the area around the River Weser in central Germany and which has been well-preserved in the towns and cities of the region.- Background :...
, the façade features architectural elements based on masters of the Dutch Renaissance, such as Hans Vredeman de Vries
Hans Vredeman de Vries
Hans Vredeman de Vries was a Dutch Renaissance architect, painter, and engineer. Vredeman de Vries is known for his publication in 1583 on garden design and his books with many examples on ornaments and perspective ....
, Hendrik Goltzius
Hendrik Goltzius
Hendrik Goltzius , was a Dutch printmaker, draftsman, and painter. He was the leading Dutch engraver of the early Baroque period, or Northern Mannerism, noted for his sophisticated technique and the "exuberance" of his compositions. According to A...
and Jacob Floris. Between 1909 and 1913, the Munich architect Gabriel von Seidl constructed an extension at the back of the building in the style of the Neo-Renaissance
Neo-Renaissance
Renaissance Revival is an all-encompassing designation that covers many 19th century architectural revival styles which were neither Grecian nor Gothic but which instead drew inspiration from a wide range of classicizing Italian modes...
. By boarding up the outer walls, the citizens of Bremen succeeded in protecting the building largely from the bombs of the Second World War
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
which destroyed more than 60% of the city. The city hall has been restored several times, most recently in 2003.
Main sights
- The Bremer RatskellerThe Ratskeller in Brementhumb|300px|right||The Ratskeller around 1900The Ratskeller in Bremen is the cellar of the Town Hall of Bremen. Since it was erected in the year 1405, German wines were stored and sold there...
is a public house in the basement, the home of the oldest barrel of wine in Germany, crafted in 1653. - The upper council chamber
- The Golden Chamber. This small room, added to the upper chamber in 1595, was redecorated in 1905 by Heinrich VogelerHeinrich VogelerHeinrich Vogeler was a German painter, designer, and architect.- Biography :He was born in Bremen, and studied at the academy of arts in Düsseldorf from 1890–95...
in a pure Art NouveauArt NouveauArt Nouveau is an international philosophy and style of art, architecture and applied art—especially the decorative arts—that were most popular during 1890–1910. The name "Art Nouveau" is French for "new art"...
style. All details and fittings, including door handles, fireguard, chandeliers and the gilded leather wallpaper have been selected in this style. - The banquet hall
- The fireplace room
- The Gobelin room
- The Senate Hall
- The lower council chamber. This room retains its unadorned original form. In contrast to the upper chamber, this room is plain, with a stone floor, visible timber beams, and limewashed walls. In earlier times, it also functioned as a marketplace for fine-goods such as spices and cloths.