exploring Bremen & its surrounding areas
You are here: worth seeing in Horn-Lehe district
City Forest & City Forest Lake
(Stadtwald & Stadtwaldsee) (2/2)
The forest xylophone brings wood to life
At the 15 stops along the way, visitors can explore the diverse plant and animal life in the city forest. Some stations are very practical, such as Station 3. Here, you can play a "forest xylophone" made of wooden pieces from hornbeam, alder, poplar, beech, oak, and elm to hear how different types of wood sound. A bit more suited for twilight is the observation stand at Station 7. You’ll need time and patience if you want to observe animals from here.
When no animals are visible at Station 7, there’s still plenty to discover
A fascinating stop near the last station is a wooden Roland statue, protected by a wire fence from curious hands. The roughly 3-meter-tall replica of the stone Roland on the market square was carved by wood sculptor Birgit Jönsson from the trunk of a 100-year-old oak tree in the nearby Bürgerpark. It took her two months to complete, including the engraved legend of Countess Emma and how the people of Bremen came to own their common meadow. The occasion was the 600th birthday of Bremen’s Roland in 2004, and the commission came from the University of Bremen’s Bee Research Institute. So reads the information board, which bears a question as its headline: The Roland as a Beehive?
Oak rustic: the Roland, a knightly statue carved from an oak trunk
Well, so far, the little creatures haven’t managed to carry off their nearly one-ton prize. Or perhaps they didn’t even want to? No, as the very informative and well-documented explanation clarifies. The history begins after the last Ice Age when wild bees once again nested in tree hollows in many forests. However, the location of the beehives high up in the trees did not stop people from harvesting honey there. If they only took part of it, they could also harvest honey the following year since enough remained for the bees to survive.
Other insects besides bees are after nectar, like this wasp
After learning this, people began constructing their own beehives from tree trunks over time and hanging them in trees. These so-called log hives made honey harvesting much easier through a side opening. This also made the beehives portable, turning forest bees into garden bees. To beautify the log hives or deter honey thieves with so-called "scare faces," people began carving decorations on the simple, blocky log hives and giving them more distinct shapes - often human-like figures. Thus, log hives became figurative beehives.
The wooden Roland therefore serves as a figurative beehive for research purposes; it is hollow and has ten entry holes in its belt buckle. "Just try," reads the inscription at the top of the canopy, directed at any would-be honey thief. Yes, somehow he’s meant to deter them too … the Roland.
Spiders are also part of the forest ecosystem, like this roughly 2 cm specimen, and far less dangerous to humans than their so-called "best friends" - dogs
Dog owners might also be deterred by the leash requirement in the city forest, which is intended to protect the local wildlife. Dog waste-covered resting and play areas are equally unpleasant. This is especially true for the popular playground near the Kleine Wümme River, which flows gently between the city forest and the city forest lake.
Plenty of sand and a massive barrier fence in the water at the non-swimmer area of the city forest lake
The 282,000-square-meter city forest lake, with its deepest point at 16.5 meters, is an excavation lake that was created in 1971/72 as a byproduct of construction work on the nearby A27 highway and the University of Bremen. Due to its proximity to the university, which began operations in 1971, many people from Bremen refer to it as the "Uni Lake." However, this popular swimming lake is hardly a secret among students, as the beaches and sunbathing areas are well-visited during the summer. Thanks to a separate non-swimmer area, a secluded FKK (nudist) section screened by bushes, and an elongated swimmer area, there’s something for everyone. The DLRG lifeguard station keeps a watchful eye on activities in the water. And it’s not just swimmers out there - surfers enter the water in a section away from the beaches, and those who’ve always wanted to learn under expert guidance have the perfect opportunity at the local surf school, even without their own equipment. In another part of the shore, friends of the underwater world dive into the water. At Pits Dive Base, divers not only get fresh air and expert help but can also rent the entire setup. And for those who don’t yet know how to dive and have always wanted to take a course … well, now’s your chance.
Here, it’s time to set sail in the jolly boat
Near the FKK area lies HanseCamping, Bremen’s campsite - well-connected by public transport, with a large swimming lake nearby and two large parks adjacent. Undoubtedly, this is an excellent location. The same can be said for the café/restaurant next to the campsite, right on the lake. If you’re lucky, you might even find a seat on a nice day. If not, consider taking a nearly 1.9-kilometer walk around the lake and trying again later.
First-class location on a sunny day
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Map
Roland statue
The Roland statue stands on the market square in front of the town hall and has been there since 1404. It is a 5.55-meter (10.21-meter total) tall sandstone figure of a knight with a drawn sword and shield in front of his chest. Like in many other European cities, the Roland in Bremen symbolizes the city's freedom, which historically stemmed from market rights and its own jurisdiction.
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Freimarkt
The legend tells that in 1032, citizens of Bremen asked the widowed and wealthy Countess Emma von Lesum - Lesum is now a district in northern Bremen - for pasture land for their livestock. The countess offered that the area could be as large as one of the men present could circle in an hour.
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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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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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Camping in Bremen
For campers with motorhomes, caravans or tents, Bremen offers HanseCamping, a 5-star site. The campsite, which has 153 pitches, is conveniently located both for access and connections to the city center. Alternatively, there is a well-located parking area on Stadtwerder directly by the Weser river, but this is only for motorhomes or caravans.
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Parks & Mill in Oberneuland district
You can still sense its history and former village structure when you drive or walk down Oberneulander Landstraße. In summer, the shade of old trees provides ample coolness. Along the side of the road near the state border, several gaps appear in the residential buildings, as this is where three parks are located, inviting visitors to explore.
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Exploring Horn-Lehe district
Some mills grind slowly, while others no longer operate at all - like the Horner Mill. Built in 1848 as a Dutch-style windmill, its preservation for passersby to enjoy today required significant effort and funding. It stands as the district's emblem.
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Neu-Helgoland (New Heligoland) / Hamme Harbor Worpswede
From April to October, the Hamme Harbor in Worpswede attracts many day visitors, weekend trippers, cyclists, and campers. The campsite operators run not only a bistro & beer garden with waterside seating but also rent out kayaks and canoes. Those who don’t want to paddle on the Hamme themselves can instead book an excursion trip aboard one of the Adolphsdorf Peat Boats. Food and drinks are also available just a few meters from the harbor at "Hamme Hütte Neu Helgoland." Tip: A great bike trip destination from Bremen!
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