Town Musicians of Bremen statue

The Town Musicians of Bremen statue by Gerhard Marcks is the city's most photographed landmark: a bronze donkey, dog, cat and rooster stacked on top of each other beside Bremen's Town Hall, just off the Market Square. Inspired by the Brothers Grimm fairy tale, it draws visitors from around the world who come to hold the donkey's shiny front legs and make a wish. It is free, always accessible and a must on any walk through Bremen's Old Town.

The story behind the statue

In the Grimm fairy tale, four aging animals run away from owners who no longer want them and set off for Bremen to become town musicians. They never actually reach the city, yet Bremen embraced them as its own. Sculptor Gerhard Marcks created the group in the early 1950s, and it was installed on September 30, 1953, initially on a one-year trial. Locals loved it, and the city formally bought the bronze in 1955. Today the statue is a protected monument, and its silhouette works as an unofficial city logo. Other casts exist abroad, including one at Harvard University's Busch-Reisinger Museum.

What to look for

At about 2 meters (6.5 feet) tall, the statue is smaller than many visitors expect. Marcks kept the animals simple and angular, with the rooster on top, then the cat and dog, and the donkey carrying them all.

Look at the donkey's front legs: they gleam gold against the dark green patina, polished by countless hands. Local tradition says that if you grasp both front legs, your wish will come true. Holding just one marks you as a newcomer.

Tips for visiting

• Come early in the morning or in the evening to avoid lines for photos.
• After dark, the statue is lit and framed by the brick Town Hall and the Church of Our Lady.
• Families can hunt for more Town Musicians figures around the Old Town, for example on Böttcherstrasse and in the Schnoor quarter.
• The square is flat and paved, so it is easy to reach with a stroller or wheelchair.

There are no opening hours or tickets; the statue stands in a public square.

How to get there

Bremen is about an hour from Hamburg by train, and the Deutschlandticket covers regional connections. From Bremen Hauptbahnhof, walk about 15 minutes through the city center, or take a tram to Domsheide, which is just steps from the statue. Tram line 6 links Bremen Airport directly with the city center. If you drive, park in a downtown garage, as the area around the Market Square is largely car-free.

Is it worth visiting?

On its own, the statue takes only a few minutes, but it sits right next to Bremen's best sights, which makes it an easy highlight of a day trip from Hamburg. Nearby are the Town Hall and Roland statue (together a UNESCO World Heritage Site), St. Peter's Cathedral, the expressionist Böttcherstrasse, the medieval Schnoor quarter and the Schlachte riverside promenade.