Bremen's old quarter - Discover it on your own

The best-known representation of the Town Musicians is the internationally acclaimed bronze sculpture by Gerhard Marcks dating from 1951. It stands on the western side of the town hall.

Built between 1405 and 1410, with a facade in the style of the Weser Renaissance that was added in the 17th century, this is one of the most beautiful town halls in Germany. Together with the Roland statue, Bremen's town hall is a designated UNESCO World Heritage site.

The statue of Roland in Bremen is the largest and most famous of the 26 Roland statues in Germany. At 5.55m tall, the statue towers over everyone and has been a symbol of trading rights and freedom since 1404. It is a designated UNESCO World Heritage site.

Designed in 1966 by the architect Wassili Luckhardt, the state parliament was a very controversial building in its day. Today, it is the seat of Bremen's own parliament, known as the Bürgerschaft.

It is over 1,200 years old. Its distinctive early Gothic architecture dates from the first half of the 13th century. The oldest parts of the cathedral - the west and east crypts - are especially noteworthy, as are its impressive organs.

Bremen's oldest dirstrict, the Schnoor quarter, is a maze of 15th/16th century houses lining the alleys like pearls on a string and now home to artists' and goldsmiths' workshops and galleries. There are plenty of cafés and restaurants in which to sit and watch the world go by.

Enjoy riverside life in the heart of Bremen. Historical and modern boats offer daily Weser cruises. In the summer there are plenty of beer gardens providing a wide range of food and relaxation, while the winter brings 'Magic'.

From here you can set off on cruises along the river Weser and the harbour, take a trip to Vegesack and Bremerhaven. Or you could simply watch the hustle and bustle on the busy embankment.

This pedestrianised arcade is Bremen's 'secret high street'. A gilt relief called 'Bringer of Light' adorns the gateway. Böttcherstrasse is home to the Paula Modersohn-Becker Museum, the Roselius-Haus, the carillon made from Meissen porcelain and the tourist information office.

Built in 1537/38 in the style of the Renaissance buildings of Flanders, the magnificent entrance of the Schütting was only added in the 19th century. The guild-house of Bremen's merchants is home of the chamber of commerce.