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History of the Freimarkt
 The
beginning of the oldest German Fairground Festival reaches back
into the Middle Ages: On 16. October 1035 , Emperor Conrad II
granted Archbishop Bezelkin the right to stage a fair.
This meant that the town was allowed to stage a fair twice a year:
seven days before Whitsun and seven days before St. Willehads
Festival (8. November). Without limitation or consideration for
local trade, vendors and travellers could sell their wares as they
wished. The festival privilege was renewed accordingly by every
subsequent emperor.
The word ‚Freimarkt' reminds us of this special independence.
Chronology: |
1035
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Emperor Conrad II grants the right to hold a fair to Archbishop
Bezelin |
1404
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The Roland, the stone landmark of the city of Bremen, is erected.
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1450/1489
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The so-called ‚Kundigen Rullen' granted by the city, limited
the Freimarkt for all time to the period when ‚de banere up den
markede styet', i.e. the special flag was hoisted to display the
agreed market peace |
1793
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Franz II is the last German Emperor who grants the Bremen
merchants the right for the Freimarkt - as of this time, they
decide themselves when they want to celebrate. |
from 1800
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With the Enlightenment, which freed life and customs of
traditional formality, and the introduction of carousels and
swings, the selling market transforms into an entertainment market. |
1809
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The first carousel turns on the Freimarkt - Operator: the
restaurant onwer, Wilhelm Pohlmann |
from 1830
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The Bremer Freimarkt develops into an attractive event far
beyond the borders of Bremen. The city has to turn away market
operators for the first time due to insufficient space. |
from 1860
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The market develops further on account of technology eg.
illumination: 1862 oil lamps are replaced by petroleum lamps,
these then by gas lamps as of 1880, and four years later by
electric lamps.
The railway connects Vegesack, Bremerhaven, Oldenburg, Hanover and
Hamburg. |
1936
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The Freimarkt, which had taken place at differing locations (Grünenkamp,
Domshof, Hohenstorsplatz), gets a fixed location in the heart of
Bremen: on the Bürgerweide. |
| (Information from: F. Peters: Freimarkt in Bremen) |
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Infos on Freimarkt
Age
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972 years (since 1036)
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Duration
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17 days per year (October/November)
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Area
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over 100,000 m² on two locations (Bürgerweide / Market Square)
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| Fairground stall holders
Beerhalls
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336
26
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Carousels and funrides
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36
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| Childrens' attractions |
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21
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Specials
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Large Freimarkt Procession
(2006: 180 floats/groups)
Great Firework display
Middle Ages Market
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Beer consumption
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? Hectoliter (2002) *
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Fried sausages
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? pces. (2002) *
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Turnover
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1954 - 1.4 Mio Euro
1957 - 1.7 Mio Euro
1990 - 70 Mio Euro*
(*estimated) |
Visitors
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4.000.000
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| * Despite enquiries, these figures are
not available or can not be supplied by the breweries - so this
year we will try again ! |
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