Schifffahrtsmuseum Kiel (Kiel Maritime Museum), Kiel (must see)

The Kiel Maritime Museum, located in the historic former fish auction hall at Sartorikai, offers a fascinating insight into the city’s deep-rooted maritime history. Opened in 1978, the museum showcases Kiel’s evolution as a port city, naval base, and shipyard hub. The permanent exhibition features model ships spanning different eras, navigational instruments, ship figureheads, and maritime paintings. Visitors can also explore the legendary Kiel sailor’s suit for boys, a model of Germany’s first submarine, and an original sonar system. Additionally, dioramas and the Emperor’s Panorama 3D picture show bring historical seafaring experiences to life.

A highlight of the museum complex is the museum pier, where visitors can step aboard a fleet of historic ships. The lifeboat Hindenburg, the fireboat Kiel, the passenger ship Stadt Kiel, and the buoy ship Bussard (built in 1905) are moored at the Seegarten pier, providing a unique opportunity to experience maritime history up close. The Bussard, in particular, retains its original steam engine and boiler room, giving visitors a glimpse into early 20th-century ship mechanics. In front of the museum stands the lantern of the lightship Kiel, which later became known as the sailing training ship Alexander von Humboldt.

The museum building itself is an architectural landmark, originally designed in 1910 by city architect Georg Pauly as a fish market hall. It served as Kiel’s central seafood trading hub, featuring two large basins for keeping fish fresh and hygienic retail spaces for vendors. After World War II, the building ceased to function as a fish market, and by 1966, it faced demolition. Fortunately, it was saved and declared a protected cultural monument in 1972.