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Roland Statue Bremen

Bremer Roland on the Market Square
Bremen's "Statue of Liberty" - a symbol of trading rights and freedom since 1404.

© WFB / Carina Tank

In 1404, the stone Roland was erected in front of Bremen's town hall. From the very beginning, it was a symbolic figure for the city's "freedoms" and rights. Since 2004, Bremen's landmark has shared a place on UNESCO's World Heritage List with the well worth seeing Town Hall.

The most Important Information at a Glance:

Knight statue on the market square
Built in 1404
Height: 10 metres
UNESCO World Heritage Site

Bremen's Landmark

One of Bremen's best-known landmarks is the 10-metre-high Roland statue in front of the historic town hall on the market square. Bremen's Roland has stood guard over the city's freedom and rights since 1404. It is not only popular with Bremen residents and tourists, UNESCO experts have declared it the most representative and beautiful Roland monument in Germany. The Roland statue and the town hall have been on the UNESCO World Heritage List since July 2004.

Kugelpanorama vom Marktplatz mit dem Roland im Mittelpunkt

© WFB / MKA

Profile

Bremen's city hall and the Roland statue.

The Legend of Emma von Lesum - A short Version

The widowed Countess Emma von Lesum was considered pious and charitable. Her kindness of heart was known among the burghers, a quality that caused her brother-in-law Duke Benno of Saxony to worry about his inheritance.
On one occasion, the countess granted two burghers more grazing land for their cattle, "as much as a man could walk around in an hour". Her cunning brother-in-law chose a beggar for this measuring march, who could not move without outside help. Countess Emma, however, calmly put her hand on his head, prayed and told him to try. He did not succeed in walking, but he crawled. The townspeople retreated in disappointment, having little hope that the beggar could "crawl" a particularly large grazing area. However, the "cripple" crawled steadily on and in the evening they were surprised at the large area. Today we still know this area as Bürgerweide. The people of Bremen did not forget the "cripple" and honoured him at the feet of Roland.

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View of Bremen's market square with a view of the town hall

Market Square

© privat / JUA

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Souvenirs

A piece of Bremen.

© Katharina Bünn

The statue of the Bremen Town Musicians.

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© WFB / Carina Tank

Gezeichnete Skyline von Bremens prominentenen Gebäuden