exploring Bremen & its surrounding areas
You are here: worth seeing in Horn-Lehe district
City Forest & City Forest Lake
(Stadtwald & Stadtwaldsee) (1/2)
Acorns are also eaten by deer
The Bürgerpark, which was designed as a nearly 140-hectare park landscape on the former Bürgerweide of the city between 1866 and 1876, is an inner-city green oasis in the Schwachhausen district that attracts many people daily. However, the green strip is much larger and extends almost to the A27 motorway towards Bremerhaven. The reference here is to the Stadtwald (City Forest) with the adjacent Stadtwaldsee (City Forest Lake) in the Horn district.
Overview map with legend for Bürgerpark and Stadtwald (upper third)
Unfortunately, there is a dividing element between the two parks over a wide stretch - the double-track railway line between Hamburg and Bremen. There are connections only at the edges of the parks: one along Parkallee, which runs from Stern at a corner of Bürgerpark to the university, and another at Torfkanal with its Torfhafen in the Findorff district, still navigable by boat today. In the past, this waterway was used to transport peat from Teufelsmoor near Worpswede in Lower Saxony to Bremen. Where there's a will, there's a way - and it’s worth taking, in our opinion.
The Stadtwald along Torfkanal - here you can also enjoy wonderful cycling through the greenery
The design of Bürgerpark is attributed to Wilhelm Benque, who served as park director from 1866–1870 and again from 1877–1884. Carl Orth took over his position, and following his plans, construction of Stadtwald began in 1907. The 66.5-hectare site north of the railway line had been donated to the Bürgerparkverein by Bremer merchant Franz E. Schütte one year earlier. The merchant, whose business involved importing oil, also covered the costs of park design.
Water is also a frequent element in Stadtwald
Thus arose a park with forests of deciduous and coniferous trees, clearings, and numerous paths. Two structures were built on the site: a supervisor’s house and an observation pavilion that has stood on a hill since 1909. It is likely that this hill was created from the excavation of the Kleine Stadtwaldsee (Small City Forest Lake), which lies nearby and resembles a three-blade ship propeller when viewed from above. The observation tower was built according to the design of architect Gabriel von Seidl, who also won the competition for planning the New Town Hall at the market square in the city center. Von Seidl did not live to see its inauguration in 1913, as he died shortly before. Although the tower in Stadtwald is not protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site like the New Town Hall, it stands thanks to several renovation measures. A comprehensive restoration in 1978/79 eliminated war damage and returned the observation tower to good condition. In 2004, the Rotary Club Bremen-Weser enabled another restoration through a donation.
The observation pavilion on a hill next to Kleine (small) Stadtwaldsee
Today, the round tower is unfortunately only accessible from the outside; visitors to the park find the heavy wooden door of this two-story building closed. Thanks to the surrounding colonnade-supported roof overhang, however, one can at least take shelter during a sudden downpour while walking. The observation pavilion becomes a very popular destination when enough snow falls for a sledding trip. Due to the lack of larger elevations in Bremen, even the smallest hill then becomes a hotly contested area for passionate sledders.
Of course, you can also ski on the paths through Stadtwald in the snow. Better still, without the white splendor, you can explore Stadtwald and Bürgerpark on horseback or by bicycle along designated and specially laid-out paths - though this is not permitted on all routes.
Other paths are used for running, such as the "Fritz-Hollweg-Brücke," inaugurated on March 31, 2007, donated by the "Karin und Uwe Hollweg Stiftung"
A special route in Stadtwald is the Finnbahn, specifically designed for runners. The health insurance company “hkk Erste Gesundheit” donated funds in 1992 to renovate and expand today’s 1.667-kilometer running track. The resilient surface provides pleasant running conditions like on forest ground, and the circuit is illuminated after dark
Start of a running lap through the forest
A parking lot next to the old supervisor’s house built in 1907 offers visitors from Parkallee convenient access to the start and finish of Finnbahn. A wooden shelter serves many as a meeting point, changing room, and naturally as rain protection if an unexpected downpour occurs on the circuit.
Between the parking lot and Finnbahn stands the overview board for the nature education and adventure trail in Bremer Stadtwald
However, not only does Finnbahn start here, but also the nature education and adventure trail in Bremer Stadtwald. The realization of this trail is thanks to the commitment of Landesjägerschaft Bremen e.V., Bürgerparkverein, and other sponsors. In full length, the trail is approximately 3 kilometers long and includes 15 stations. Those who do not wish to walk the entire distance can shorten it by half. An overview map is available as a flyer from the Plexiglas case at the large overview board between the parking lot and Finnbahn.
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Bürgerpark (Citizen's Park)
A green oasis near the city center and a widely used recreational area, the Bürgerpark is an expansive site adjacent to today's Bürgerweide behind the train station. This park was initiated by the citizens themselves. In the early 19th century, the old defensive structures of the city had already been dismantled, transforming the ramparts into a landscaped park. However, as the city rapidly grew throughout the century, demands for more green spaces became increasingly louder.
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Cycling to Vegesack
The journey begins at Bremen's central station, passing through Bürgerweide near the distinctive Stadthalle (City Hall), Congress Center, and exhibition halls, then continuing through Findorff along the Torfkanal (Peat Canal). This canal, which runs along the edge of the Bürgerpark (Citizens' Park) and Stadtwald (city forest), was constructed between 1817 and 1826 to transport peat from the Teufelsmoor (Devil's Moor) near Worpswede to Bremen using peat barges. Today, you can book excursion trips on the characteristic black wooden boats.
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Water-based activities in Bremen
Given that Bremen is a city situated along a major river and surrounded by numerous lakes, it's only natural to extend sporting activities - or whatever one personally considers as such - from land to water. The most family-friendly activity on the water is undoubtedly taking a rowboat ride along the canals of the Citizens' Park (Bürgerpark).
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Worpswede
Highly recommended for a longer excursion is Worpswede, located about 25 kilometers northeast of Bremen in the Teufelsmoor (Devil's Moor). Particularly for art enthusiasts, this place - once a small moorland village and now a renowned artists' colony far beyond its borders - is a true treasure trove.
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Town Hall
The original Old Town Hall on the market square was built between 1405 and 1412. Little remains today of this rather plain late Gothic brick building. The Renaissance façade, which gives the UNESCO-protected structure its distinctive appearance, was erected by Lüder von Bentheim between 1608 and 1614. Above the arcades, it is lavishly adorned with various depictions from ancient mythology, blending uniquely with Christian symbolism, Bremen city symbols, and other representations.
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Rhododendron Park
Also located in the Horn district is the 46-hectare Bremen Rhododendron Park. The origins of this park actually consist of two separate parks. As early as around 1890, beech, ash, spruce, and especially oak trees were planted on the site. In 1936, the area, which was originally designed as a wildlife park, was expanded with an extensive collection of rhododendrons. To this day, the numerous deciduous trees in the park provide important protection for the rhododendrons against sun and wind.
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botanika
In the heart of Rhododendron Park, adjacent to the café, stands the botanika. Originally planned as a contribution to Expo 2000, various factors led to changes, and the largely glass structure was finally opened in 2003.
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