Highlights of Kiel & Naval Museum

by coach & on foot

Discover the history and importance of Kiel, a historic and traditional maritime city.

Your journey will begin as you board your coach which will pass by the locks that regulate the world’s busiest artificial waterway, the Kiel-Canal. Stretching for almost 100km (62 mile) from Brunsbüttel to Kiel it links the North Sea with the Baltic Sea.

En-route, you will also see the T-750 Flandernbunker which was a flak-bunker used to protect 750 people and was one of 120 of its kind in Kiel during World War 2. This bunker was partially destroyed by Allied forces after the war to prevent its further use.

Your journey will continue as you pass the Holstenstraße, Germany’s first pedestrian precinct which opened in 1951 and is today one of the most popular shopping miles including for visitors from Scandinavian countries who take the ferries to come over for a shopping spree.

You will arrive to Laboe where you will visit The German Naval Memorial that stands at a height of 85m (278ft). This was erected between 1927 and 1936 to commemorate and pay respect to all who have died at sea. You may choose to either take a flight of 341 steps or a lift to the lookout platform where you will have spectacular views over the Kieler Fjord.

Next, follow your guide down a tunnel that leads you to the subterranean commemorative hall, which is the central memorial, decorated with wreaths and flower arrangements. A headlamp from above in seven shades of blue gives subdued lights to the stone put in the centre, creating a solemn atmosphere with unique acoustics. From here you will enter into the Historical Hall where the history of German navigation and navy is documented using various charts and ship models.

You will take a short walk across the road to explore the U-995 submarine that has been refurbished and prepared as a technical museum. This submarine was of the Type V11.C and was the most frequently used submarine in Germany during World War 2. It is the last survivor of 693 operational type V11’s that operated mainly in northern waters. As you enter the submarine you will get a sense of what the conditions were like aboard submarines during World War 2.

You will then reboard your coach for the return journey back to your ship.