The return of the cog: Roland von Bremen is resurrected!

The return of the cog: Roland von Bremen is resurrected!

In the picturesque Vegesack, a district of Bremen, a very special maritime project was realized between 1996 and 2000: the Hanseatic cog “Roland von Bremen”. The construction of this impressive cog, which is closely linked to the history of the Hanseatic League and Bremen shipping, attracted great interest from locals and tourists. Many school classes and guests were able to directly observe the progress of shipbuilding and even purchase hand-forged spike nails as a souvenir. Weser-Kurier reports that the cog was christened in May 2000 by Christine Koschnick, the wife of the then former mayor Hans Koschnick, was celebrated with a large audience.

The cog is built with great attention to detail and traditional craftsmanship techniques, using oak wood from the Hasbruch in Oldenburg and special steamable planks. It was also important to comply with all building regulations, which were regularly checked by Germanischer Lloyd. Following the christening, the ship was berthed at the Schlachte, where it then served as a cultural symbol of the city.

The tragic downfall

But on January 28, 2014, the unthinkable happened: The “Roland von Bremen” sank at its berth on the Schlachte after a defective sea valve failed. Only the mast and parts of the deck superstructure were still visible from the water. The Bremen fire department was unable to intervene due to the dangerous conditions. The salvage attempt was successful and the ship was brought to Neustädter Hohentorshafen the next day. Buten un Binnen mentions that the remaining damage and the condition of the cog made extensive and expensive restoration necessary.

This is where the commitment of long-term unemployed people came into play, who carried out a ten-year restoration under the guidance of the employment agency bras e.V. The ship's location changed several times and it remained in dry dock for a long time. This restoration work has now been completed, even though the cog returns around 15 tons lighter and can no longer drive under its own power.

Cogs and their meaning

But what actually makes the cog so special? The cog is a type of sailing ship that served as a trading and warship during the Hanseatic era. With a typical bulbous hull and large cargo space, she offers the perfect type of ship for economic needs in the Middle Ages. In addition, the cog represents an essential element of European trade history and was the most important type of ship in the Hanseatic League until the end of the 14th century. Wikipedia provides exciting information about the development and construction methods of cogs in the Baltic Sea region.

Over the years, the “Roland of Bremen” has not only gained great importance as a tourist attraction, but has also become a maritime landmark of the city of Bremen since Expo 2000. A return to Schlachte is planned for April 2025, where the cog will not only be used as an event location again, but will also function as a cultural center.

With its historical significance and the lively commitment of Bremen's citizens, the story of the Hanseatic cog “Roland of Bremen” is by no means over. On the contrary - it symbolizes Bremen's cultural heritage and maritime identity, which is continually revived, especially in difficult times.