Located on the Marktplatz in the heart of Bremen, the Cathedral of St. Peter was first established in the 11th century and is largely medieval in its architectural style. Additions were made in the 13th and 16th centuries, followed by extensive restorations at the end of the 19th century and today it stands as one of the largest historic brick structures in Europe.
Admire the richly-decorated Baroque pulpit, which was a gift to the people of Bremen from Queen Christina of Sweden in the 17th century. The cathedral contains four altars, including a main altar in the choir and a central altar featuring a sculpture of Christ carrying his cross. In addition, there are five organs in different parts of the cathedral, continuing Bremen’s long-standing tradition of fine organ music.
The oldest room in Bremen is the western crypt, which was consecrated in 1068 and exhibits the early Romanesque state of the cathedral. It features an altar adorned with a Christ Pantocrator, the cathedral’s oldest sculpture, and a bronze baptismal font dating to 1229. The eastern crypt contains around 90 graves belonging to bishops and archbishops, as well as a sculpture depicting the coronation of Saint Mary.
Venture into the “Bleikeller” or lead basement where eight mummies in glass-topped coffins can be seen, including two Swedish officers from the Thirty Years' War, a murdered student and a local pauper. Numerous artifacts are displayed in the cathedral museum that’s located in one of the side chapels and there are impressive views across Bremen from the cathedral’s tower.