A New Start
The “Emigration Center” in Bremerhaven is situated at the point from which more than seven million people set off for the New World between 1830 and 1974. At one time, Bremerhaven was the largest emigration port in Europe.
Bremen’s Oktoberfest
The “Freimarkt”, first held in 1035, is the oldest fair in Germany and attracts more than 4 million visitors each year. The more famous Oktoberfest in Munich was not celebrated until 1810. The two-week long festival is one big party. Don’t miss the “Bayern-Zelt” – this is as close as you’ll ever get to Bavaria in Northern Germany.
The Town Musicians
“Die Stadtmusikanten” of the Grimm Brothers’ fairy tale are the most famous figures associated with Bremen. A donkey, dog, cat and rooster strike out together to become musicians in the city of Bremen. A statue of the four animals riding piggyback can be found near City Hall.
Where and Why to Hook up
The “Hochzeithaus” (Wedding House) claims to be the world’s smallest hotel. If you stay here you have the whole hotel to yourself as it has just one room. Just pray you are in your teens or twenties when you come to Bremen. Tradition says that anybody who turns 30 and is still single has either to sweep the cathedral stairs or polish its doorknobs.
Drinks of Choice
Bremen helps Germany wake up in the morning and wind down after work: every other cup of coffee that is drunk in the country originates from Bremen, and the city is home to the famous Beck’s brewery.
The Double
SV Werder Bremen, for a long time one of Bayern Munich’s toughest rivals in the Bundesliga, has won the German championship four times and the German Cup six times. In 2004, the club accomplished a historic feat by winning both the Bundesliga title and the German Cup in the very same year.
Copyright: Benjamin Radzun