DISTANT PLACES
Travel tips for destinations far from the Hanseatic City of Bremen
A stroll through Kiel
Sights in the fjord city and a visit to Laboe
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Zoological Museum and Ethnographic Museum
After the Maritime Museum, Kiel's "Museum Mile" continues on the eastern side of the palace park, facing away from the fjord, along Hegewischstraße. In the building designed by architect Martin Gropius (house number 3), both the Ethnographic Museum and the Zoological Museum are housed. Both belong to Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel (CAU). The Ethnographic Museum was founded in 1884; many of its exhibits came from high-ranking naval officers and other travelers who had acquired objects during military and trade expeditions in the South Pacific. Four years later, the museum became part of the university, even though it did not have a corresponding academic department at the time. Unlike the Zoological Museum, which was founded in the 17th century. Today, the museum houses around 400,000 objects, including the skeleton of a blue whale as its largest exhibit, as well as collections from individual scientists and materials from several internationally significant research expeditions that took place roughly from the mid-19th to the early 20th centuries, such as the expedition aboard the Danish corvette Galathea, which circumnavigated the globe in two years starting from Copenhagen in 1845.
Kunsthalle and GEOMAR Aquarium
On the other side of the palace park, a car-free bridge connects the green space to the adjacent main road Düsternbrooker Weg and the Kiellinie, a promenade that stretches for kilometers along the water toward the Wik district.
Front facade of the Kunsthalle
From the middle of the bridge over the main road, one can see the Kunsthalle – Museum, Institute of Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel, and home of the Schleswig-Holstein Art Association, founded in 1843. The building, completed in 1909, displays paintings and sculptures as well as object art and works from photography and video on 2,000 square meters of exhibition space. The time span ranges from Dürer's era to the present day. A focus of the collection is the works of the so-called "Russian Wandering Painters" of the 19th century, primarily associated with realism. Since 2011, the museum has presented rotating exhibitions from its Graphic Collection in specially designated rooms.
The museum building also houses the only collection in Germany's northernmost state featuring antiquities from the Mediterranean region. The collection, founded in 1843, includes original Greek pottery and smaller objects as well as casts of significant larger sculptures from Greek and Roman times.
Starfish on the tank glass
Along the Kiellinie, one soon encounters the aquarium of GEOMAR Helmholtz-Zentrum für Ozeanforschung Kiel, one of Europe's leading marine research institutions. Accordingly, marine research vessels are occasionally moored at the quay in front of the building complex on the western shore, and sometimes visitors can observe scientists at work up close when experiments take place along the shoreline.
Research facility of GEOMAR Helmholtz-Zentrum für Ozeanforschung
The aquarium serves less scientific purposes than providing visitors with insights into underwater ecosystems in the North Sea and Baltic Sea off Germany's coast. The facilities are not very large, but the presentation - featuring predominantly native fish species from herring to rays and small sharks, fist-sized sea urchins, starfish, and a few exotic tropical fish for variety - is worth seeing and scientifically well-prepared. Those interested in learning more about the displayed fish and the sensitive marine or ocean ecosystem will find ample reading material.
From warmer waters: a lionfish
The GEOMAR Aquarium is part of the museen am meer network, which brings together eight collections and museums along Kiel Fjord. In addition to the already mentioned Kunsthalle, Antiquities Collection, Maritime Museum Fischhalle, and Zoological Museum, the network includes the Medical & Pharmacy History Collection, Stadtgalerie Kiel in the city center, and the Warleberger Hof City Museum. (More information at: www.museen-am-meer.de)
Maritime Museum
Map
Information
Tourist Information Kiel
Andreas-Gayk-Straße 3
24103 Kiel
Phone: +49 (0)431 / 679 100
Email: info@kiel-sailing-city.de
Internet: www.kiel-sailing-city.de
Transportation
Train
The state capital is easily accessible by train. However, during storms, trees sometimes fall onto the tracks, disrupting rail services as there are no alternative routes.
Car
You can also comfortably reach Kiel by car via the highway. While a car isn’t necessary within the city, it is practical for trips to nearby attractions like Eckernförde.
Public Transport
Kiel’s tram service was discontinued in 1985 - a decision many now regret. However, the well-organized bus network extends throughout Kiel and its surroundings, provided buses aren’t stuck in traffic. Tickets are purchased from the driver upon boarding. Depending on your plans, day passes, group tickets, or small-group tickets may be cost-effective. In my experience, drivers are generally very friendly and willing to provide information - a quality many of their colleagues in other cities could learn from, especially since it costs nothing to do so. More info: www.kvg-kiel.de
For public transport connections beyond Kiel, visit: www.nah.sh
By Water
The Schlepp- und Fährgesellschaft Kiel mbH is a municipal service operating ferry and tugboat services. It offers passenger transport on the Kieler Förde with small ships known colloquially as "Fördedampfer" (ferry). These vessels depart from the central station and serve multiple stops along both sides of the fjord, including Laboe, Schilksee, and Strande. Bicycles are allowed in moderation. The company is part of the Verkehrsverbund Region Kiel, so regional tickets are valid on board. Students can use their semester ticket for free rides. However, schedules vary, so check the timetable: www.sfk-kiel.de/en
Additional Information
www.zoologisches-museum.uni-kiel.de
www.kunsthalle-kiel.de
www.uni-kiel.de/nickol/botgar.html
www.geomar.de/en/
www.maritimesviertel.de
www.mahnmalkilian.de
www.strande.de
www.laboe.de
www.seenotretter.de
www.deutscher-marinebund.de
www.stenalinetravel.com/routes/kiel-gothenburg
www.colorline.com
"Fördedampfer"
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