Böttcherstraße, Cultural heritage street in Mitte, Bremen, Germany
Böttcherstraße is a pedestrian lane in Mitte, Bremen, connecting the market square with the Weser riverbank. Brick facades combine northern German building traditions with early 20th-century expressionist forms, featuring gilded reliefs, narrow passages, and small interior courtyards.
Coffee merchant Ludwig Roselius commissioned architects to transform this medieval lane between 1922 and 1931, turning it into an artistic ensemble. The project survived Nazi criticism as degenerate art and remained largely intact through World War II.
Workshops along the lane allow visitors to watch craftspeople shaping glass, working with metal, and creating objects by hand. The architecture reflects early 20th-century northern European design traditions, mixing red brick with decorative reliefs and bronze elements.
The lane remains accessible daily and sits just steps from Bremen's main square. Some museums and workshops charge admission, while most shops follow regular business hours.
The Haus Atlantis building features a spiraling exterior staircase that once served residential and hotel functions. A golden relief on one facade shows Archangel Michael fighting a dragon and ranks among Europe's largest gilded outdoor artworks.
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