[I originally posted this in April 2018, but I’ve reposted it to fix the broken image links]
It’d be wrong to come to Germany and not have a sausage, so here’s a Bratwurst.
Lots of choice.
Bratwurst and pommes frites.
Author: admin
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Bremen – Bremen Cathedral
[I originally posted this in April 2018, but I’ve reposted it fixing all the broken image links]
Bremen Cathedral was first constructed as a smaller church in 860, replacing a nearby wooden church by the river. The structure and layout that is seen today dates from 1042, although has been much changed over the centuries.
One of the stained glass windows in the side chapel on the south nave.
These wooden choir stalls made from oak date from the 1360s and were salvaged during a renovation which took place in the earlier nineteenth century.
Rather a decorative cathedral, there are numerous wall paintings and decorations.
The wooden pulpit dates to 1638 when the cathedral was re-opened following a period of closure.
The cathedral’s rose window which has been a feature of the building since the medieval period, although particular one dates from the end of the eighteenth century.
The eastern crypt, used for those wanting quiet worship.
The clock dates from 1647, although I’m not sure what the cathedral are planning to do with it as it’s currently just on display on the floor.
The western crypt, which is still used for christenings.
Located in the western crypt this font is made of bronze and is from the early thirteenth century.
The rather grand nave, brighter than some other cathedrals I’ve visited in northern Europe.
The rather grand wooden front door. Next little visit was to climb to the top of the cathedral’s tower….
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Bremen – Cathedral Museum
[I originally posted this in April 2018, but have reposted to fix the broken image links]
Located within Bremen Cathedral is a rather lovely museum, for which they make no charge for entry.
There are numerous climate controlled areas in the museum which display old vestments and clothing worn by Bishops at the cathedral. Some of this dates to as early as the twelfth century and it’s surprising that so much has remained relatively undamaged.
Another Lutheran Bible with what appear to be original boards, dating to 1710.
This iron key was used at the Cathedral between 1556 and 1638.
A rather beautiful book, which is a a Lutheran Bible which dates to the seventeenth century, with book experts perhaps able to note if they look carefully that there is some slight fire damage.
This is a Catholic Bible that was used in Mainz, originally printed in 1662.
This mitre is one of the examples that dates back to the twelfth century, with traces of what was once no doubt bright gold still visible.
The interior of the museum has some rather decorative wall paintings which are original.
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Bremen – Roland Statue
[I originally posted this in April 2018 but have just reposted it to fix the broken image link]
Roland statues date back to the medieval ages and can be found throughout Germany, with them originally being a sign of the town’s trading rights. This is a particularly interesting sculpture as it dates to 1404, replacing an earlier wooden version. It is listed on the UNESCO World Heritage list and also appeared on a German coin in 2010.
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Bremen – Bremen Library
[I originally posted this in April 2018, but I’ve just reposted it to fix the broken image links]
It’s always important for me to have a little investigation of a city’s central library, a useful indicator of how important the local authorities value the resource. This library feels modern, is spacious and there are a lot of quiet places, so I’d say that Bremen certainly values its library highly.
The outside courtyard of the library, with seating and a giant chess board.
Themed seating, a nice little book related touch.
A look down at the library’s collection of prints and illustrations.
This is the main entrance area to the library, the rest of the building is a shopping centre with shops and restaurants. It’s all covered and another part of Bremen’s modern looking retail zones.
So many books! Floors and floors of them, all clearly displayed and indexed.
A side view of the library building. All in all, a wonderful resource which importantly wasn’t too loud. There’s a separate area for teenagers and children, with a large selection of books and DVDs in English. There’s also power sockets for computers and laptops and numerous staffed information points around the building.
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Bremen – Bremen Cathedral (Tower Climb)
[I originally posted this in April 2018 but I’m reporting it now with the broken image links fixed]
When I had arrived at Bremen Cathedral the little ticket desk to the tower was closed, which I was secretly relieved about as that meant I didn’t have to climb it. I have a habit of always wanting to climb things and then immediately regretting it as it’s often too tiring or I’m reminded that I’m scared of heights.
However, on my way out of the Cathedral I noticed that there was a man in the office ready to take money. So I couldn’t resist, paid the €2 and began the climb.
The good news is that the climb is primarily of steps like this, which are enclosed and in solid condition. The bad news is that there are loads of them and people also have to come down the same steps, so there isn’t a huge amount of space.
There was a platform around two thirds of the way up when I had to change which steps I went up, with a view down into a lower room. Unfortunately the cathedral just seems to be using that as a junk store, but it’d be nice to open it up with a little exhibition.
My first reaction was that it was very windy. So windy that it was hard to even hold my phone, with the gusts of wind being enormously strong and rather never-ending. Fortunately, the edges were well protected with wire and netting, although that took away from the photos a little.
One of the circular windows in the tower, which look rather small when viewed from ground level.
Two things occurred to me here. One is that people are leaving money in some strange and inaccessible places which are in danger of blowing onto the heads of people below. The other is that I’ve discovered where the city centre McDonald’s is.
The other end of the cathedral. It was certainly worth the money to climb up to the top and I was fortunate that it wasn’t at all busy, it’s almost a mystery why so few people wanted to go to the top on a windy and rainy day…. There were two visitors I did encounter at the base of the steps, but fortunately they had only climbed up two steps so they went back down again.
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Bremen – Paulaners an der Schlachte
[I originally posted this in April 2018, but I’ve reposted them to fix some broken image links. That chicken is making me hungry….]
As it started raining I thought it’d be a sensible decision to get back in the warm and dry. They have a big beer garden area that I’m sure is very desirable during the summer, but rather less so on a rainy April lunch-time.
As luck would have it the building I randomly chose was a rather nice pub, with a friendly welcome being offered to confirm my very sensible decision. Although my photo looks like there was no-one inside I did that to avoid taking a picture of people eating, and it was relatively busy.
I was also pleased to see that the pub (or bierhaus really, but I’ll call it a pub) was having a chicken Wednesday, so it felt just like being back in Wetherspoons. My German is good enough to read the special of the day was half a roast chicken (they had a whole chicken but I didn’t want to look greedy) with French fries (or some salad options that I didn’t translate) and a curry sauce. Quite lovely.
One problem I have with beer overseas is that I never know what they have, but my request for Dunkel was understood with happy acceptance, which meant that challenge was over.
Ooooh, that chicken was excellent. Crispy skin, tender meat and a curry sauce with a rich and deep flavour. A big of portion of chicken too and I discovered that they were roasting them in-house. This was a good lunch choice, although I noticed that they had some really decent value lunchtime meal offers going as well where you could get a main course and dessert for €7.
All that excitement meant only one thing, it was time to investigate the city’s central library (I know how to live…..).
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Bremen – River Walk
[I originally posted this in April 2018, but I’ve reposted it after fixing some broken image links]
Since my foot is fully working again I thought that I’d embark on a mini river walk. Just as I started the walk it began to rain, so I have stopped off in the pub.
But the walk I did looked very lovely.
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Bremen – Vapiano
[I originally posted this in April 2018 but am reposting to fix some broken image links. It reminds me that I haven’t been to Vapiano in years]
Vapiano were my favourite European fast food chain for a while, although I keep forgetting to go to them. Their expansion seems to have slowed down a little, but there’s a centrally located one in Bremen so it seemed an easy place to visit. The welcome offered seemed genuinely friendly, with the staff member being personable and explaining her favourite dishes.
Vapiano have an interesting ordering system that they give you a payment card when you enter, then you just go up to different counters to order pizza, pasta, salad, drinks or desserts. It’s all very efficient and makes it easy and quick to order additional items at any time. They also grow herbs in trays that you can take from to add to your food at the table.
It’s not the nicest looking pizza with the toppings all over the place and it’s not very precisely cut. However, it tasted rather lovely, particularly with the crispy base and the toppings were also of a decent quality.
A little blueberry cheesecake and there are also free gummy bears at the desk for when customers leave.
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Bremen – Space Hotel
[I originally wrote this in April 2018 but I’m reposting it as I’ve fixed the broken image links. Firstly, I must have been muddled up getting a free glass of wine if there was beer available…. And I think this was before I became quite obsessed with Accor and their hotels. As an aside, Ibis Styles seems to have really moved away for these quirky designs, which is something of a shame.]
It’s no secret that I’m a big fan of Accor Hotels, consistently good service in clean hotels. And I like that my status gets me a free drink when I arrive at each of their hotels, there’s nothing like winning me over than a lovely glass of cool white wine.
This hotel has proved no different so far, really friendly welcome and a clean environment. And unlike some Ibis hotels I’ve been to, they haven’t been trying to force free apples onto me…..
Anyway, this is the city’s Ibis Styles. Which is, for reasons unknown, designed to have a space theme. It’s certainly an interesting design and I rather like these sort of themed hotels….
Perhaps one of the best signed toilets in a hotel room. The chair is more comfortable than it looks fortunately.
I’m one of those people who never turns on the TV in a hotel room, but it does look rather impressive with its blue glow.
