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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968 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
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322
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Carousels and funrides
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34
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Childrens' attractions
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21
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Specials
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Large Freimarkt Procession
(2002: 150 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) |
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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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