exploring Bremen & its surrounding areas
You are here: worth seeing in Neustadt district
Neustadt (2/2)
Sculpture "Sitting Couple" by Alice-Peters-Jonescu (1973) in the Neustadtwallanlagen near Leipnitzplatz
Past Leibnizplatz, the Buntentorsteinweg runs, a long street that initially follows the Kleine Weser and eventually ends in the district of Huckelriede, which gained notoriety beyond city limits due to the Gladbeck hostage drama in 1988. The sensational case was adapted into a two-part TV series titled "Gladbeck," airing on ARD in 2018. Since March 29, 2019, a bronze plaque next to the bus station in Huckelriede has commemorated the three victims of the tragedy.
Memorial for the victims of the Gladbeck hostage drama at the Huckelriede bus station
Initially called Südertor and later renamed Buntentor at the end of the 17th century, this city entrance at the start of Buntentorsteinweg was one of two passages through the protective wall, alongside Hohentor. A gatehouse once stood here, but no trace remains today.
Another passage: Deichschart between Buntentor and Werdersee, a flood zone during high water
In the second half of the 18th century, the street was lined with smaller houses. As historian Herbert Schwarzwälder noted, it was home to teamsters, widows, and many cigar makers. Cigar production in Bremen began around 1820, partly as home-based work. Just 30 years later, approximately 10,000 people were employed in the tobacco industry - about one in six Bremers. This made the cigar trade a significant economic factor in the Hanseatic city.
Men and women produced up to 1,000 cigars per day in Bremen during the 19th century, a monument by Holger Vogts (1984)
A skilled cigar maker could produce up to 1,000 cigars daily, with workdays often lasting 12 to 14 hours. Many hired readers to entertain them with newspapers and political writings -often socialist - in exchange for payment. To advocate for their rights, they founded the first trade union in 1849 and supported members through collectively organized funds.
The evangelical St. Jakobi Church and the parsonage at Kornstraße/Kirchweg corner were built between 1875 and 1876 and are protected as historical monuments. Architect and building director Johannes Rippe also designed structures on Riensberg Cemetary, such as the cemetery chapel.
Nevertheless, they could not prevent the decline of Bremen's cigar industry in the following half-century. Their labor costs were simply too high, prompting companies to relocate production to regions with lower wage levels. As cigarettes grew in popularity, cigars lost significance. Until 2014, Martin Brinkmann AG in Woltmershausen district still produced cigarettes, marking the end of a tradition dating back to 1813. Today, a monument by Holger Vogts (1984) at Buntentorsteinweg/Kirchweg corner honors the cigar makers.
Ritchey-Chrétien RC and refractor on a parallactic mount under an open wooden dome
Behind the opposite row of houses lies Werdersee, where swimming is officially permitted. There is a beach with a non-swimmer area and a DLRG station. A bridge connects the Kleine Weser to Werdersee, leading to Stadtwerder, a peninsula in the Weser. We have described a scenic cycling route from the city center to the Weserwehr and back via Stadtwerder, including all notable sights. Among these are Walter-Stein Observatory and Olbers-Planetarium, though both require advance planning for visits.
Dusty relics behind old walls? Even before entering, visitors get a sense of what awaits - and it’s anything but dusty.
A short distance further, past the DGzRS headquarters at Franziuseck, stands a monument to water engineer Ludwig Franzius, who served as Oberbaudirektor in the 19th century and contributed significantly to the city (as detailed in the Weser weir article). Stadtwerder concludes at Teerhof, opposite Schlachte, where Weserburg | Museum für moderne Kunst (Museum for modern art) invites visitors to engage with contemporary art.
Fresh malt for fresh Beck's or another variety: a suction nozzle unloads cargo from an inland vessel
Standing before the museum at Bürgermeister-Smidt-Brücke offers views of the large Anheuser-Busch InBev brewery complex, where brands like Beck’s, Haake Beck, and Kräusen are brewed. Many Bremers were dismayed when the traditional independent Bremer Brauerei Beck GmbH & Co. KG was acquired by Belgian Interbrew in 2002, turning their locally brewed beers into just a few among many in the global brewery conglomerate’s portfolio. Competitive and price pressures clearly take their toll. Since 1890, HACHEZ has produced chocolate in Bremen, initially at Westerstraße in Alte Neustadt (since 1895). After its sale to a Danish company, packaging was outsourced to Poland in 2014, followed by production in 2020 - a shame.
For years, the Beck’s brand was advertised with a commercial featuring the bark "Alexander von Humboldt" under green sails. Since October 2016, the vessel has been moored at Schlachte as a gastronomy ship. Cheers!
In the past, Neustadt was sparsely populated for an extended period. At times, municipal authorities even offered financial incentives to encourage settlement there. Today, however, Neustadt - with its many districts extending to the city airport - is well-developed and particularly popular among students due to relatively low rents and a robust infrastructure. Some residential buildings, such as those designed by architect Friedrich Lüthke between 1906 and 1907 on Rückertstraße, are protected as historical monuments. The area boasts numerous retail shops, pubs, theaters, and a vibrant cultural scene.
previous page
next page
Map
Further information
Round trip: from the city center to Weser weir & back.
On the side of Werdersee, shortly after passing under the Karl-Carstens Bridge and going past Vogelinsel (a protected nesting area that cannot be entered), you reach the largest swimming area with a sandy beach, a non-swimmer section, and a DLRG station. Adjacent to this, you can officially grill outdoors on a lawn. Behind it, numerous allotment gardens of various associations stretch out.
read more ...
Observatory & Planetarium
On selected days, visitors can also look through the large stationary and smaller mobile telescopes of Walter-Stein Observatory, which are set up on the terrace for the occasion. In the Olbers-Planetarium in the same building, members of the society give lectures on varying topics. Opened in 1952, the Olbers-Planetarium features a dome with a diameter of 6 meters, making it one of the smaller planetariums. It offers 35 seats (including wheelchair-accessible options) for visitors.
read more ...
DGzRS - The Maritime Rescuers
Anyone in distress at sea today has far better chances of receiving help, even out on the open water, thanks to modern technology and professionals who take care of it. Along Germany’s North and Baltic Sea coasts, these are primarily the approximately 1,000 full-time and volunteer men and women of the DGzRS (German Maritime Search and Rescue Service), also known as "The Maritime Rescuers." In 2020 alone, they conducted 1,720 operations and rescued 357 people. Since its founding, the organization has helped 86,000 individuals.
read more ...
The Weser weir
The weir in the Hanseatic city, however, has a much longer history and was the first of seven on the Middle Weser. After the groundbreaking ceremony in 1906, the water management structure was built until 1911. The weir was necessary after Ludwig Franzius, the then chief construction director of the city and a water engineering expert born in Wittmund, had initially planned corrections to the Lower Weser until the late 1870s and then carried them out for nearly eight years starting in 1887. These corrections subsequently gave a tremendous boost to the development of Bremen's urban ports.
read more ...
Schlachte
From the start of construction in 1993 until its grand opening on May 27, 2000, a promenade with a boulevard, ship docks, and numerous dining establishments offering something for every palate was created between the Wilhelm-Kaisen Bridge and the Stephani Bridge. This project cost over 20 million euros, largely funded by the EU, and featured 60 trees and ample granite paving. Today, this area - where medieval harbor workers once worked hard - has been transformed into a vibrant leisure destination.
read more ...
Museums in Bremen - a selection
Located on Teerhof between the arms of the Weser River is the Weserburg, Bremen's museum of modern art. The collector's museum showcases a selection of contemporary artworks from 1960 onward, including pieces by renowned artists such as Warhol, Beuys, Segal, and Trockel. The exhibits are drawn from the collections of international private collectors.
read more ...
Through Woltmershausen to Lankenauer Höft by bike
A truly maritime bike ride to Lankenauer Höft. This scenic cycling route begins at the Stephani Bridge, passing through Hohentorshafen and Woltmershausen before reaching Lankenauer Höft, which is almost entirely surrounded by water. Behind the Höft, several ships - including the 1957-built tugboat Greif - are moored in an unrestricted part of the harbor. This picturesque view of the harbor marks the end of this tour.
read more ...
Weser cruise from Bremen to Bremerhaven
Of course, you can take a car for a visit to Bremerhaven from Bremen or board the regional train at the main station. However, with suitable weather and enough time, it is more interesting to cover the route on the Weser by ship. The shipping company "Hal över" operates the connection from May to September. The ship departs from the Martinianleger near the city center along the Schlachte. Those who wish can even take their bicycle with them; additionally, you can pre-book a breakfast onboard.
read more ...
