The distance between the statue's two knees is exactly one Bremen ell, a historical unit of measurement used for cloth trade.
The statue was originally painted in vibrant colors, though traces of this are no longer visible to the naked eye.
According to local folklore, as long as the Roland stands, Bremen will remain free and independent.
During the Second World War, the statue was encased in wood and masonry to protect it from aerial bombing.
The statue replaced a wooden predecessor that was burned down by the city's archbishop's troops in 1366.
The eagle on the shield represents the Holy Roman Empire, signifying the city’s direct subordination to the Emperor rather than the local church.
It is the oldest surviving Roland statue in Germany that remains in its original location.
The Bremen Roland is a 5.5-meter-tall limestone statue erected in 1404 to represent Bremen’s status as a free imperial city. It stands in the Market Square, facing the west facade of the Bremen Cathedral. The statue is a UNESCO World Heritage site, recognized alongside the adjacent Bremen Town Hall. Its posture—depicting a knight with a sword and a shield bearing the double-headed imperial eagle—symbolizes market rights and freedom from episcopal authority. The current head is a 1983 replica; the original head is housed inside the Focke Museum. The pedestal adds another 5.47 meters to the structure's total height, reaching over 10 meters overall. The statue was restored extensively in the 1980s to preserve its structural integrity.
From the south side of the Market Square, aiming north to capture the statue with the ornate facade of the Town Hall in the background.
Visit during the evening to see the statue illuminated against the historic Town Hall backdrop.
Read the German inscription on the shield base, which details the city’s rights and independence.
Combine your visit with a walk through the nearby Böttcherstraße for a contrast between medieval and expressionist architecture.
Do not mistake the statue for a simple decorative piece; it is a protected UNESCO site, so do not climb on the pedestal.
