UNESCO World Heritage Sites — Bremen
Town Hall and Roland on the Marketplace of Bremen (2004)
The 15th century Town Hall and the Roland monument, initially erected in 1404, on the marketplace in the Free Hanseatic City of Bremen are praised by UNESCO for their outstanding representation of the civic autonomy and market rights as they developed in the Holy Roman Empire in Europe.
The Old Town Hall was originally built in a Gothic design. Later renovation works in the 17th century adopted the so-called Weser Renaissance style, including an elaborate sculptural decoration in sandstone on the façade, representing allegorical and emblematic depictions. The design of the New Town Hall was the result of an architectural competition, won by Gabriel von Seidl, and built from 1909 to 1913.
The stone statue of Roland was erected as a representation of the rights and privileges of the free and imperial city of Bremen. It is associated with the Margrave of Brittany, a paladin of Charlemagne.
The Town Hall and Roland on the Marketplace of Bremen were added to the list of UNESCO World Heritage sites in 2004.
