Kiel, Schleswig-Holstein

Aerial view of Kiel, Germany
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:KielerInnenFoerdeLuftaufnahme.jpg
Author: Klaas Ole Kürtz


Kiel is the biggest city and state capital of Schleswig-Holstein, the northenmost state in Germany. The city covers 118.6 sq km (45.8 sq mi) and has a population of 238,000 people (2011 estimate).

Kiel is located at the southern end of the Kiel Fjord, which empties into the Bay of Kiel (Kieler Bucht in German and Kiel Bugt in Danish). This is the bay on the eastern coast of Schleswig-Holstein. It opens into the Baltic Sea. The proximity of the sea to Kiel has made it a popular sailing destination, with a numer of regattas and sailing events held here every year. It was also the site of the sailing competition during the 1936 and 1972 Summer Olympics.

Nikolaikirche, Kiel
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Nikolaikirche_Kiel_0345.JPG
Author: Arne List


Kiel is today a major high-tech shipbuilding center for Germany. The Germany Navy's Baltic fleet is also based here. Its 2005 GDP of €35,618 is well above the national average and 159% that of the European Union average.

The area around Kiel Fjord was first settled by Normans and Vikings. The city itself was founded in 1233. It became a member of the Hanseatic League in 1284, but was expelled in 1518 for harboring pirates. The city was a major hub for regional produce and goods. It held a trade fair known as 1431, which was very popular in the Middle Ages until the year 1900. This fair was recently been revived.

The Kiel-Holtenau Lighthouse that marks the entrance to the Nord-Ostsee-Kanal
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Kiel-Holtenau-Leuchtturm.jpg
Author: UphoffHe


Being a major naval base for Germany, Kiel suffered heavy bombardment during the Second World War. 80% of the Old Town as destroyed, and large parts of the city had to be rebuilt after the war. The city was made the seat of the government of Schleswig-Holstein in 1946, but it only assumed the official status of state capital in 1972.

The most festive time to visit Kiel is at the end of June, when the city celebrates Kieler Woche, or Kiel Week. This is one of the biggest sailing event in the world. The oldest building in the city is the Nikolaikirche, first build in the 13th century.

Ostseehalle, Kiel
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ostseehalle-Kiel.jpg
Author: Sechmet

Visiting Kiel, Germany

Kiel is connected to the rest of Germany by a network of expressways (Autobahn) and federal highways (Bundesstraßen). The Autobahn 215 connects Kiel with Hamburg via Autobahn 7. It is also connected with Lübeck via Bundesstraße 404 followed by Autobahn 21 and 20.

There are regular trains between Kiel Hauptbahnhof, the main railway station in the city, with Hamburg. There are ferry services from Kiel to Oslo, Norway and Gothenburg, Sweden.

Places of Interest in Kiel, Germany

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