Bremen Town Hall

The inside of the Rathaus is pretty nice, however, you can only enter with a guided tour, and there is no tour for foreigners, only in German, which is unfortunate

Magnificently artistic! Bremen Town Hall (Bremer Rathaus) is one of the most beautiful examples of brick Gothic and Weser Renaissance in Europe and has rightly been on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 2004. Around 1400, when Bremen's development was at its peak, a new town hall was planned on the initiative of mayor Johan Hemeling and councillors Friedrich Wigger and Hinrich von der Trupe. Between 1405 and 1410, a Gothic "Saalgeschossbau" (hall building) was built on the northeast side of Bremen's Marktplatz, right in front of the archbishop's palace. A clear demonstration of the city's self-confidence in relation to ecclesiastical authority. The lavishly decorated façade of the town hall features statues of Charlemagne and the seven prince-electors, demonstrating Bremen's claim to being a free imperial city. The Renaissance brought several modifications: between 1545 and 1550 an extension with three floors, containing a new Wittheits-Stube and offices, was built between the town hall and the archbishop's palace. In 1595-1596 the front façade was modified for the first time: the Gothic windows with their typical pointed arches were replaced by large rectangular windows. Between 1608 and 1612, during the second modification, the front façade was given its Weserrenaissance appearance: the two middle windows and the proclamation door were replaced by a huge avant-corps (a facade extension) crowned with a Flemish gable. The baroque extension from 1682/83 is best visible on the corner where the statue of the Bremer Stadtmusikanten stands. With the German mediatisation of 1803 the archbishop's palace fell to the municipality of Bremen, and in 1818/19 it was partly dismantled and rebuilt as a neoclassical "Stadthaus" (municipal city hall). The enormous population growth in the 19th century and Wilhelminism made it necessary to enlarge the town hall. Thus the "Stadthaus" was demolished and between 1919 and 1913 the "Neues Rathaus" was built, a neo-Renaissance creation by the architect Gabriel von Seidl. All in all, Bremen today has a magnificent building complex that is not only very beautiful, but also represents the centuries-long development of civil autonomy in the Holy Roman Empire.

I totally recommend visiting the Bremen Rathaus. We had an amazing experience during our weekend trip to Bremen. The building is very beautiful and we enjoyed its interior. Mostly, we wish to thank the staff for the attention they paid to us: as the only non-German speakers of our booking time, they arranged a specific visit in English: our guide, Ms Britta - I hope I spelled the name correctly - was lovely and passionate about the history of Bremen and its Townhall. She made us feel welcomed and we enjoyed our tour so much! Totally recommended!

In the heart of Bremen stands the beloved statue of the Bremen Town Musicians — a fairy tale brought to life. A donkey, dog, cat, and rooster stacked together, reminding us that teamwork and hope can overcome even the toughest challenges. 🌿🤝

Such a beautiful and old town hall. Inside and out, this building is just amazing.  The entry fee is €9 per person. The English tour starts at 12 p.m on Monday (not sure about other days), and the tour guide is very knowledgeable and friendly. If you're visiting Bremen, then you should also visit Bremen Town Hall. You won't regret it.

Our guide spoke perfect English and explained the history with many funny and interesting stories. The magic was that the building was not damaged during WW2 and has wonderfully intricate plaster, wood work and tiles..

The Bremen Town Hall (Rathaus), a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of northern Germany’s most stunning architectural treasures. Built in the 15th century, this Gothic-Renaissance building showcases the power and wealth of Bremen during its time as a Hanseatic city. In the 17th century, a beautiful Renaissance facade was added, featuring intricate carvings and statues that symbolize justice, faith, and wisdom. Right next to the building you’ll find the famous statue of the Bremen Town Musicians, based on the Brothers Grimm fairytale. While not directly attached to the Town Hall, the statue is just steps away and an iconic part of the city’s historical center. Keep in mind that the Rathaus closes at 4:00 p.m., so it’s best to plan your visit accordingly if you’d like to go inside or join a guided tour. Overall, it’s a must-see in Bremen, both for its rich history and its architectural elegance.

Absolutely stunning living example of Gothic architecture showcasing the rich history of that era. Really a masterpiece. The history takes it back to 15th century.