The “Schnorr” district was first mentioned in the 13th century. At the same time a Franciscan monastery was constructed at the edge of the “Schnorr” district of which only the monastery church has been preserved.The oldest preserved buildings at the “Schnorr” are the Haus Schnoor 15 (Brasilhaus) from 1402 and das Packhaus Schnoor 2 from 1401. Some of the buildings, such as the “Amtsfischerhaus” consist of façades only, which were originally located elsewhere.Many of the street names are associated with the former use, for example the building at the Stavendamm (Stave is Low German dialect for “room”), the first public bathhouse which also offered an opportunity for other forms of self-enjoyment. Legend has it that the Bishop of Bremen secretly patronised the bathhouse via an underground tunnel. The tunnel allegedly ended at the “Schifferhaus”.Originally, only the river fishermen who profited from the Weser-River’s side arm (Balge), which flowed through the district resided at the “Schnorr”. In the medieval times the Balge was the main stream of Bremen, but the Weser-River, a side arm during those times, gained more and more importance. The last stream was covered in the 19th century. Now only the street names on the boards imbedded in the ground are reminiscent of the Balge. A memorial of Jürgen Heinrich Keberle (1835 – 1909) who was known only as “Heini Holtenbeen” due to his limp, is also located at the “Schnoor”. He became an original of Bremen due to his quick and humorous wit.At the beginning of the 20th century the “Schnoor” became a poverty stricken district due to its allies and small properties. For the most part, the “Schnoor” was not affected by the Second World War.In 2005 an antique museum opened at the “Schnoor”. The former “Packhaus” is now used for theatre performances. The “Travestietheater” founded in 1992 and under new management since 2009, is now used for Teatro Magico as an event theatre.This part of Bremen is one of the main attractions due to its well-preserved and cohesive construction from the 15th to the 19th century.
Photo The Schnoor District by Tom Bastin is licensed under CC BY 2.0