Sögestraße

You are now at the entrance of the pedestrian zone, Sögestraße, where sculptures by the Peter Lehmann, featuring pigs and shepherds, are located. The bronze sculptures are so welcoming, so you may take a seat here, if you wish.
The monument, erected in 1974, is designed to reflect the street’s history, which originated in the 13th century. The first mention of Sögestraße was in 1261 as “patea porcorum”. Shortly thereafter, in 1306, it was called “Soghestrate“, which means “pig street” in the Low German dialect.
In medieval times butchers lived on the neighbouring Knochenhauerstraße, whereas brewers and bakers resided on Sögestraße. Pigs belonging to Bremen’s citizens were herded back and forth between the public pasture outside the gates of the medieval town and the slaughterhouses on the street named Sögestraße.
When the train station was built shortly after 1847, Sögestraße gained significant popularity as a connection to downtown and the Weser-River. In the 19th century, this street became an important shopping district, featuring numerous retail businesses for men’s clothing, jewellery, porcelain etc., as well as a hat factory.

Photo Bremen Soegestrasse Schweine 2007-09-23 by Daniel FR is licensed under public domain