hough founded in 1233, mari- T ners have been sailing into its protected fjord for as long as their boats have plied the . Few cities are so closely tied to the maritime way of life as this historic yet modern and vibrant port city of Kiel. Located on the southeast coast of the Penin- sula, Kiel serves as the cultural, educational, business and political capital of the German state of Schleswig- Holstein. With a well educated and skilled population HISTORY close to 250,000, Kiel is justifiably proud of the high Vikings seem to have been the first to have settled in the area of quality of life and friendly atmosphere that it provides Kiel perhaps as far back as the late 700s or early 800s. Selecting to its residents and shares with its guests. The city this five mile long inlet offered their boats protection from the harsh comes alive with music festivals and concerts, muse- winter winds and waves while at the same time providing them easy ums and art galleries, beaches and gardens. Catering access to the Baltic Sea. Kiel’s development and even its eventual to its many visitors, 30,000 university students and a destruction and renewal would always be linked with the sea. young professional population, the city is dotted with numerous restaurants, cafes and pubs. Count Adolf IV of Schauenberg is credited with founding the city in 1233. Nine years later Adolf’s son, John I, granted to Kiel what was There is one word, however, that can best describe this known at the time as Lubeck City Rights. In essence this made exciting city . . . and that word is “schiffahrtsverkehr”. Kiel a free city, no longer under the direct rule of local aristocracy. It might be giant “fahrschiff schiffahrtsverkehr” or little This act would help Kiel to grow and begin to prosper as a port and “fischerboot schiffahrtsverkehr” or perhaps even the center for trade between and Scandinavia. In exciting “rennboot schiffahrtsverkehr” but this city has a the late 1200s Kiel joined the Hanseatic League. This organization boat-load of “schiffahrtsverkehr” … or, to translate into was a union of merchants and cities than joined together to form a English … a boat-load of “boat traffic”. powerful trading monopoly that eventually stretched from Russia, As it has been for generations, Kiel is an important cen- throughout the Baltic and on to Holland and England. As a member ter for shipbuilding, fishing, various maritime industries of the League Kiel prospered and grew in power and wealth. But, as well as the . Baltic and Scandinavian in 1518, having developed a reputation for political and economic ferries dock in the center of town. Merchant vessels, duplicity, Kiel was banned from the Hanseatic League for providing oil tankers, cruise ships and pleasure craft are continu- refuge to Baltic pirates. ally coming and going through the famous and beautiful What is generally referred to as the Thirty Years War (1618-48) was Kiel . With one of Germany’s largest navy bases a difficult time for Kiel, as it was for much of Germany and the rest located in Kiel, the city often plays host to ships, of- of Europe. By the end of the long conflict Kiel was in economic ficers and sailors from nations around the world. The shambles. In 1665, shortly after the Thirty Years War, the Duke of city tops off the celebration of its rich maritime heritage Holstein, Herzog Christian-Albrecht von Holstein-Gottorf, founded each summer with a huge regatta, known as “Kieler a new school that would eventually grow into a university and bare Woche”, as Kiel plays host to thousands of boats and his name, offering courses of study in philosophy, theology, medi- sailors from around the planet that come here to be a cine and law. Apparently the townspeople of Kiel were not immedi- part of this exciting sailing center. ately enthusiastic at the prospect of a new university in their midst. It was feared that a dangerously liberal and corrupting influence would accompany the influx of so many young students. many’s first democratic government, the Weimar Republic. Though Kiel was located in Germany, under the authority of Following the end of the implementation of the the Holy Roman Empire the city was ruled by from the impossibly harsh conditions imposed the late 1700s through the early 1800s. After a series of wars upon Germany by the victorious allies had a direct and di- between , Denmark and Austria in the mid 1800s, sastrous effect upon the nation. Kiel was to be no exception. Kiel came under Prussian control. In 1865 Prussia relocated As the German Navy was being unceremoniously dismantled her Baltic Fleet from Danzig (now Gdansk, Poland) to its new Kiel’s economy crumbled. It would take the rise to power of homeport in Kiel. In 1871 Germany’s Emperor William I would the National Socialists and the rebuilding of the Kriegsmarine seal Kiel’s fortunes, and fate, by designating the city an Impe- (German War Navy) for the fortunes of Kiel to begin to re- rial Harbor. Kiel’s population would quickly expand to over cover. This recovery would not last. 200,000 as the city absorbed thousands of new sailors, boat As an important German surface warfare and submarine base builders, shipyard workers and the infrastructure to support Kiel became a prime target for allied bombers during World and provide for them. War II. The city itself along with its port, docks and massive On Oct. 3, 1918 Germany’s surrender brought an end to World shipbuilding infrastructure was almost completely destroyed. War I. Unbelievably, two weeks after the official capitulation, Today, rebuilt from the rubble, modern Kiel is a vital inter- commanders of the Imperial Navy in Kiel ordered the sailors national port and naval base for the Deutsche Marine (Ger- and ships of Germany’s Baltic fleet to head to sea for a final man Navy). As Germany continues as a strong and important attack against the British Fleet. The sailors mutinied and their member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Kiel revolt spread so far and so fast that it helped bring about the is once again a dynamic port city on the Baltic Sea. fall of the German Imperial Monarchy and the rise of Ger-

KIEL PLACES OF INTEREST ing through the heart of the beautiful Schleswig-Holstein coun- tryside, the canal connects the Baltic and North Seas. A little The ranks as one of the world’s great feats of 1 engineering. Completed in 1895 it is easily compared with over 60 miles in length, the Kiel Canal saves ships nearly 300 the Panama and Suez . Between the three canals the nautical miles of the often dangerous and stormy seas that sur- Kiel carries the most international commercial shipping. Cross- round the Jutland Peninsula and the nation of Demark. The Locks provide visitors the opportunity to watch the navi- SHORE EXCURSIONS 2 gation and operation of huge sea-going vessels of all kinds as they To make the most of your visit to Kiel and sur- pass between the famous Kiel Canal and the Baltic Sea. rounding areas we suggest you take one of the The Maritime Museum is home to a wonderful organized Shore Excursions. For Information 3 collection of paintings, shipboard instruments and concerning tour content and pricing, consult model ships that trace the long history of Kiel and its azamaraclubcruises.com or contact the onboard ties to the sea. Visitors can also board and explore Shore Excursion Desk. When going ashore, three historic ships that are docked at the museum’s guests are advised to take with them only the pier. items they need and to secure any valuables. , in association with Kiel’s university, houses The Zoological Museum LOCAL CUSTOMS 4 a vast exhibit of animals, birds and bugs. By “bugs”, we include every creepy, crawly, flying, slimy, buzzing or stinging little creature one can think Bargaining: Prices are usually set. of. The museum’s total collection of insects numbers close to 300,000. Tipping: In cafes and restaurants it is customary The Naval Monument looks out over the Baltic Sea as it rises like to tip 5-10%. A 10% tip for a taxi is the general 5 the bow of a giant ship nearly 300 feet above the inlet to the Kiel fjord. rule. Dedicated to seamen throughout the world the monument displays model LOCAL CUISINE AND DRINK SPECIALTIES ships and historical memorabilia related to life on the sea. Located next to the monument is a World War II era U-boat that is dedicated to the 36,000 The dishes and recipes of northern Germany German submariners who lost their lives in World War I and II. have a strong Scandinavian influence. Some of the traditional dishes of Schleswig-Holstein in- The Kiel Aquarium is not large by today’s standards but what it may clude: Kartoffelpuffer is similar to a potato hash- 6 lack in size it more than makes up for in variety. There is an open-air brown pancake. Semmelknoedel is a large dump- pool as well as numerous large and small enclosed tanks that provide home ling made by combining milk, flour, butter, eggs, to a selection of Baltic and fish, eels, playful seals and live coral. parsley and bread. Labskaus is corned hash The Kunsthalle Art Gallery houses a beautiful collection of sculp- with a fried egg on top with herring and pickles 7 tures, German paintings, antiques and photography that range from on the side. It is said to be a favorite of fisher- the 1600s-1900s. men. Konigsberger Klopse is ground pork or beef The Botanical Garden is near the center of the city. Maintained by the combined with onions, eggs and minced herring 8 university, this small garden has a wide array of beautiful and interest- then formed into meatballs. Schleswig-Holstein ing plants that have been gathered from all over the world. The garden is a has some of the best dairy land in Europe. Great wonderful place to quietly relax. cheese has been produced in the region since medieval times. Among some of the favorites The Warleberger Hof Municipal Museum is set in the town’s old are: Sauermilchkase, rich, sharp and firm cheese. 9 quarter. The building is the former home of a 17th century noble. The Tilsit, is semi-soft, slightly tangy and has a smooth architecture is dramatic. Inside the stately building are exhibits that trace aroma. Holsteiner Marsch, is similar to Tilsit but Kiel’s history. becomes richer with aging. German Camembert, Beyond Kiel is soft, rich and creamy. It grows stronger with aging. The Molfsee Open Air Museum is a step back in time to the rural life of Schleswig-Holstein in centuries past. Covering nearly 150 acres, this village Schnapps is a strong spirit that is often made at has been faithfully recreated by collecting over 70 buildings and structures home from family recipes that have been handed from all over northern Germany that would have otherwise been torn down. down for generations. People who prefer tradi- The village includes homes, barns, farmhouses, blacksmith forges, bakeries tional German schnapps often mention Ber- and windmills. With its fields and meadows, ponds and gardens, livestock entzen Apfel Korn as one of the best commercial and barnyard animals it is easy for visitors to imagine a simpler way of life. blends. Beer…With over 1,000 breweries making 5,000 is about an hour south of Kiel. This famous port city has many attractions for visi- brands in a countless variety of styles, German tors. The most familiar symbol of the city is St. brewers seem to know what the people like. Hol- Michael’s Church with its famed copper-plated sten Pils from Hamburg and Jever Pils (named spire. The old city center is the Town Hall Square after the town) are among northern Germany’s and the Stock Exchange. The old Hanseatic favorite beers. Quarter is a great place to shop and the Planten SHOPPING and Blomen Park is a beautiful setting in which to relax and unwind. The best shopping in Kiel is to be found on Hol- stenstrasse (Holsten Street) in the city center close to where the ship docks. A value-added tax (VAT) of 19% is usually included in the A coin or telephone card may be required to dial these acces price of any purchase you make. Unless you are a citizen of numbers: the EU you can get a VAT tax refund for purchases over a cer- AT&T: 0.800.225.5288 tain amount. Regulations and conditions governing the refund MCI: 0800.888.8000 of VAT are subject to change and RCCL cannot guarantee the cooperation of local authorities. Keep your receipt and pres- TRANSPORTATION ent it to the proper authority when you return to the port. Taxis are always available but few of the drivers will speak LOCAL CURRENCY English. In order to rent a car you must be at least 18 years old and have had your driver’s license for over one year. The unit of currency in this port is the euro. There are 8 euro coins with a common face. On the reverse, each member state USEFUL WORDS AND PHRASES contributes a design. There are 7 euro notes. All euro coins Good day - Guten tag and notes are legal tender in member states. Most stores ac- Do you speak English? - Sprechen sie Englisch? cept major credit cards and debit cards. ATM’s are commonly Please - Bitte available. Traveler’s Checks are rarely accepted. Local banks Thank you - Danke are the best location to convert your currency to Euros. You’re welcome - Bitte schoen POST OFFICE, TOURIST INFORMATION AND TELE- Good-bye - Auf Wiedersehen PHONE The Main Post Office and Tourist Information Center are lo- cated in the Neues Rathaus building, 31 Andreas Gayk Street.

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This information has been compiled for the convenience of our guests and is intended solely for that purpose. While we work to ensure that the information contained herein is correct, we cannot accept responsibility for any changes that may have taken place since printing. © RCCL 2013 - All rights reserved.