Folklore comes alive in Germany's ‘fairytale' city

Telegraph

2 days ago

When a bronze statue of a donkey, dog, cat and rooster is one of a city's most photographed landmarks, it should come as no surprise that it takes its storytelling seriously. As the northern gateway to the German Fairytale Route, the river-straddling city of Bremen has long been steeped in myth and lore – but 2025 is its time to truly shine. Marking the 50th anniversary of the legendary Route, Bremen is throwing open its medieval gates to welcome visitors into a world where folklore comes alive in cobbled lanes, pixelated forests and theatrical cathedral squares.
Once a proud Hanseatic hub on the Weser River, Bremen may lack the instant name recognition of Berlin or Munich, but it has something rarer: a deep sense of magic threaded through its architecture, culture and soul. This is, after all, the city where the Brothers Grimm's beloved 'Town Musicians of Bremen' tale is more than just a bedtime story – it's a city-wide invitation to step into an enchanted world.
The German Fairytale Route, established in 1975, stretches some 600km from Hanau (the Grimm brothers' birthplace) in central Germany all the way to Bremen in the north. It passes through storybook towns like Marburg, Kassel and Hamelin – the latter famously plagued by a flute-playing Pied Piper. But Bremen, where the route ends (or begins, depending on your direction), offers a kind of finale that rewards travellers with a satisfying mix of whimsy, wonder and historical gravitas.
Throughout 2025, the city is celebrating its starring role on the route with a packed programme of myth-tinged events. Among the highlights is the Stadtmusikantenspiel, a lively Sunday lunchtime performance held in the shadow of Bremen Cathedral. From May through to December, this musical reimagining of the city's famed animal quartet brings the fairytale to life in the very square where its story is immortalised in bronze.
Elsewhere, a special anniversary walking tour delves into both Grimm folklore and Bremen's own mythic foundations – like the legend of the fishermen who followed a hen and her chicks to settle on the Weser, symbolising freedom and laying the city's foundations. Their tale is immortalised in stone on the Town Hall arcade – a blink-and-you'll-miss-it nugget of urban folklore waiting to be rediscovered.
A walk through the past (and pixelated present)
Bremen wears its fairytales on its sleeve, but the charm doesn't stop at statues and stories. Stroll through the Altstadt (Old Town), and you'll find half-timbered houses, Gothic spires and grand merchant halls that whisper of a prosperous past. The Unesco-listed Town Hall is an architectural gem from the Weser Renaissance era, standing proudly beside the Roland statue – a symbol of civic freedom dating back to 1404.
Modern-day magic arrives in the form of Pixelwald Wisera, a dazzling new installation in the Kunsthalle Bremen art gallery. Step inside, and you're transported into a glowing pixel forest – an immersive experience that feels halfway between enchanted woodland and digital dreamscape. It's an unexpected but oddly fitting tribute to the city's blend of tradition and innovation.
For families and digital natives, the BremenGo app animates the famous Musicians of Bremen in 3D across the city. Think Pokémon GO, but with more donkeys and fewer battles. Meanwhile, the Stadtmusikantenexpress boat trip offers a breezy way to explore Bremen's sights while soaking up stories of mythical beasts, musical dreams, and Bremen's colourful history along the Weser.
What to see and do
No trip to Bremen is complete without paying homage to the statue of the Musicians of Bremen. Located beside the Town Hall, the sculpture has become a touchstone for good fortune – quite literally. Legend has it that holding the donkey's front leg brings luck, though only with your right hand. (Left, apparently, does nothing. This is fairytale science.)
Wander a little further and you'll hit the Schnoorviertel, Bremen's oldest quarter, where centuries-old fishermen's houses lean inwards like gossiping neighbours. Today, it's a tangle of boutique galleries, artisan shops and cosy cafés. Stop by for a marzipan pastry or browse for handmade trinkets that wouldn't look out of place in a Grimm tale.
For a more serene slice of the city, head to the Bürgerpark – 200 acres of manicured greenery that offers a welcome pause from the cobbles. And if it's myths and legends you're after, don't miss Böttcherstraße, a striking Art Deco alleyway filled with history, eccentric architecture and an air of the unexpected.
How to do it
Bremen is compact and walkable, making it an ideal weekend break. Most attractions are within easy reach of the Altstadt, and the city's efficient tram network makes venturing further a breeze.
With its beguiling mix of myth, history and modern creativity, Bremen is ready to surprise. This is a place where fairytales aren't confined to books, but written in stone, sung in public squares, and animated into the very air around you. And in this special anniversary year, the magic is more alive than ever.
Essentials
Ryanair flies direct from London Stansted to Bremen from £49 return. Lufthansa operates flights from London Heathrow to Bremen via Frankfurt from £129 return.
Stylish, central and brimming with character – just like the city itself – Hotel Classico (0049 421 2440 0867) is located steps from the Town Hall and Musicians of Bremen statue. Doubles from £110 per night, including breakfast.