Just a stone’s throw away from the Bremen city hall is the “Bremer Roland”, which was built in 1404 and placed under monumental protection in 1973 and declared as World Cultural Heritage together with the Bremen city hall. The statue measures 5,47 metres in height and stands on a 60 cm high base, it is supported by a beam in the back, which is topped by an exquisite canopy executed in Gothic style. The entire statue reaches a height of 10.21 metres and appears to be the largest freestanding figurative statue from the medieval age.Roland represents the emperor, he declares and guarantees the market rights and freedom which the city was granted. This is also expressed in the imprint of the sign (which however, was renewed in 1512):„I announce public freedom – which Karl and other Counts have bestowed on this location – and for that; I advise you to be grateful to God“Roland’s predecessor was made of wood and he was knocked over and burnt by archbishop Albert II’s warriors in the night of the 28th and 29th of May 1366. The current Roland was built by the stone masons Claws Zeelleyher und Jacob Olde in 1404, prior the construction of the City Hall. In 1811 Roland was in passing danger of being demolished, because a new “Marktplatz” (farmer’s market place) was in the planning stages, however, due to the demise of the French power it was never built. Roland also in danger to collapse and he was rebuilt on a new concrete foundation. The head was replaced by an original copy, Roland’s original head has been displayed at the “Focke-Museum” since thenAs word has it in Bremen, it shall remain free and independent for as long as Roland is intact and watching over the city. The figure between his legs is described as the invalid who crawled around a property in 1032, which countess Emma then gifted to the city as the “Bürgerweide”Same as with the “Bremer Stadtmusikanten” (town musicians) there is a tradition for Roland as well; “those who rubbed his knee will return to Bremen”.
Photo Bremen-roland-marktplatz-häuser by Roland.h.bueb is licensed under CC BY 3.0