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Town Musicians of Bremen Statue
The Town Musicians of Bremen are the most globally recognized symbol of the Hanseatic city, based on the fairy tale of the same name by the Brothers Grimm published in 1819. The bronze statue by sculptor Gerhard Marcks was erected in 1953 on the western side of the City Hall, depicting the donkey, dog, cat, and rooster in a vertical pyramid formation. The monument commemorates the story of four animals who were cast out due to their age and sought a new life as musicians in Bremen. A widespread tradition holds that grasping both front legs of the donkey brings good luck, which is evident from the polished areas of the bronze. The Town Musicians are a central element of Bremen's tourism branding and appear in numerous variations throughout the cityscape. Despite their name, the animals in the fairy tale never actually reached Bremen, as they captured a robbers' house on the way and settled there. The statue is now an iconic example of the connection between literature, folklore, and modern public art.
- Location: Bremen, Germany
- Top sights: Schütting · Paula-Modersohn-Becker-Museum · Bremer Bonbon Manufaktur
- Nearby: Delmenhorst (12 km)
Best time to visit & climate
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °C | 1 | 2 | 4 | 9 | 13 | 16 | 18 | 18 | 14 | 10 | 6 | 2 |
| Rain mm | 73 | 55 | 51 | 39 | 55 | 64 | 80 | 74 | 58 | 63 | 66 | 73 |
📋 Practical info
Geography
Facts
- The bronze statue by Gerhard Marcks was inaugurated on September 30, 1953.
- The fairy tale was first published in 1819 in the second edition of the Grimm collection.
- The donkey forms the base of the 2-meter-high sculpture.
- Holding both legs of the donkey is required for luck, according to local tradition.
- The story of the Town Musicians has been translated into more than 60 languages.
- There are numerous replicas of the statue worldwide, including in Riga and Kawasaki.
Explore nearby
Notable places around
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Sights in the town Town Musicians of Bremen Statue (10)
Bremer Bonbon Manufaktur
A workshop producing candies using traditional recipes.
Roland
A listed monument statue on the market square, symbol of Bremen's freedom.
Aussichtsplattform Südturm
A viewing platform on the south tower offering a panorama of the city.
Unser Lieben Frauen⛪ church
A church building in the Mitte district of Bremen.
Bleikeller🏛 museum
A museum in the cathedral's cellar, known for its mummified corpses.
Martinikirche⛪ church
A listed cultural monument church in Bremen.
Die Glocke
A concert hall in Bremen, famous for its acoustics.
Sights nearby
Frequently asked questions
Where are the Bremen Town Musicians located?
Why are the donkey's front legs so shiny?
Who created the statue?
Does it cost admission to see the statue?
What happens if you only touch one leg?
Town Musicians of Bremen Statue: where is it located?
Town Musicians of Bremen Statue: what is there to see?
Town Musicians of Bremen Statue: when is the best time to visit?
Town Musicians of Bremen Statue: why is it worth visiting?
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