exploring Bremen & its surrounding areas
You are here: worth seeing in Walle district
Überseestadt (2/2)
Strolling along Europa Harbor, where modern architecture meets old warehouses
When it comes to the promenade, "mile" is indeed meant literally, as you can walk or cycle much further directly along the water at Shed One. Especially from the harbor entrance, when you reach the Weser River, another part of the development concept becomes more apparent: the mix of work and residential spaces. The Überseestadt should not be a ghost town at night. Industrial operations, ship and truck traffic, office buildings, residential houses, and in between, the slightly hilly Übersee Park with a skate park divided into street and bowl areas surrounded by greenery - this is an interesting mix that requires a certain level of mutual acceptance or at least tolerance from all involved.
Renovated warehouse in the second row at Europa Habor
At the end of the promenade, a distinctive lighthouse (Molenturm) known as the Mäuseturm (Mouse Tower) marks the entrance to the turning basin and the grain harbor. The protected beacon is still operational and guides ships over nine nautical miles with its light signal. On this side of the turning basin’s shore, in about a year of construction for €9.8 million, "Waller Sand" was created - a man-made beach with approximately 170,000 cubic meters of sand and a layer up to 10 meters thick in some places, replacing the previous extensive stone paving, except for a narrow strip right at the water’s edge.
While it can’t compete with coastal beaches, "Waller Sand" is still a great idea
The area was not only built up but designed as a hilly dune landscape with wooden pathways, fixed parasols, and a few sturdy sun loungers. Appropriate vegetation should reduce large-scale sand erosion by wind. The design of the facility and the shoreline primarily focused on flood protection. However, swimming at this location remains prohibited even after the completion and opening of the beach area on May 15, 2019, due to the significant danger posed by ship traffic.
The Molenturm ("Mouse Tower") appears small and unassuming compared to the massive protected grain handling facilities in the background. The tower is popular not only with tourists but also with anglers
Looking from the Molenturm across to the opposite shore, you can see the cargo unloading facilities, the event venue PIER 2, and the Waterfront shopping center in the Häfen (Harbors) district, which belongs to the Mitte (district) neighborhood. Until 1983, this area looked very different. Despite all rescue efforts, AG Weser shipyard - locally known as "Use Akschen" - closed its gates after 140 years and around 1,400 new ships.
AG Weser also built warships for the navy, such as the small cruiser Bremen, which was launched in 1903. The lead ship of seven vessels in the Bremen class sank after hitting mines on December 17, 1915, in the Baltic Sea, taking 250 crew members with it. A model of the ship is displayed at the Focke Museum.
During the tanker boom of the '70s, even supertankers were launched from the shipyard for Greek magnate Colocotronis. Today, only a 1905 administrative building - a simple brick structure - and another adjacent building from 1930 remain. Both structures have been under monument protection since 2006.
Cranes for unloading bulk goods in the grain harbor
Those wishing to reach Überseestadt by public transport can take Tram Line 3, which passes Europahafen, or Bus Line 20, which loops through Überseestadt. Since April 2019, Tram Line 5 has connected the front part of Überseestadt directly to the main train station from Monday to Saturday without transfers. For more information, visit www.bsag.de. Nevertheless, all parties must ask themselves why an entire district with work and residential quarters covering 300 hectares was developed without ensuring adequate public transport connections. Instead, there is sudden surprise at the sharp increase in private vehicle traffic, especially during peak hours.
Sometimes, heavy machinery is necessary ...
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Through Walle district to the industrial ports
The history of Walle began, like that of many other districts in Bremen, long ago as an independent village, more precisely, it started only as the seat of the Ministerial family von Walle. The first mention of the old village dates back to the year 1139. From this family came both farmers and citizens. Thus, with the settlement of more people, the family estate grew into a village around the manor. Walle was incorporated into the Hanseatic city in several steps, first between 1885 and 1902.
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Through Woltmershausen to Lankenauer Höft
A truly maritime bike tour takes you from the Stephani Bridge through Hohentorshafen and Woltmershausen all the way to 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 section of Neustädter Harbor. This view of the harbor marks the end of this tour.
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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.
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Cycling in Bremen & Surroundings
Bremen is one of the most bicycle-friendly cities in Europe. This is due, on the one hand, to the generally pleasant cycling conditions in the North German Plain, which has no significant inclines or slopes, and on the other hand, to the promotion of cycling by municipal policies, partly to reduce inner-city car traffic and the associated cross-border air pollution from fine dust and nitrogen oxides.
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A stroll through the Neustadt
The Alte Neustadt, as part of today's neighborhood, was only established in the 17th century. The planned expansion of the city was also prompted by the increasing threat posed by the development of offensive weapons. Remnants of the fortifications built at that time are still present today as parks, but there is much more to discover, such as the "Kleine Roland".
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Focke-Museum
Every city has its history, and in many cities there is a museum that tells this story. In the Hanseatic city, it is the Focke Museum in the Riensberg district, where the city's history is presented most vividly. The 'Bremen State Museum for Art and Cultural History' was created in 1924 by merging two collections: the Gewerbemuseum founded in 1884 and the 'Historical Museum for Bremen Antiquities' founded six years later, whose founder, who died in 1922, also gave his name to today's museum.
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