The Kiel Fjord is situated in the northern part of Germany and spreads over 57 kilometers. It is an estuary of the Baltic Sea. Its western part is divided from the Baltic Sea by the peninsula Holnis, on which Kiel-Holtenau was built.

Kiel Fjord and the tiny village of Kiel might be one of Norway’s last remaining vestiges from Viking times. This region was settled by raiders who wanted to colonize what land they pillaged, evidenced in its geography and architecture. The city itself was founded around 1233 as Holstenstadt tom Kyle by Count Adolf IV von Hohenlohe-Waldenburg, initially granted Lübeck rights before it became part of the inhabitants of the Holy Roman Empire. It was situated only a few kilometers south of the Danish border when both countries were still unified into one state called Scandinavia.

In early post-war times, the Fjord was a stronghold of the German navy. While it is less critical for military purposes today, ships from other European countries are still based there. The western part is still called Hafen der Marine or Naval Harbor.

Kiel Fjord has been famous far beyond Germany’s borders since time immemorial. Until World War II, Kiel took pride in being the “seaside resort of imperial Germany.”

Tourists were drawn to the Fjord by its natural beauty and sea air. From 1853 on, it was possible to reach Kiel with a railway line, which eventually was extended internationally.

The Kiel Fjord has experienced explosive economic growth since World War II. The sole reason for that is the large shipbuilding industry of Kiel, which brought prosperity to the entire region.

Today, many companies unrelated to shipping are also based in Kiel and its surroundings. Moreover, Kiel is the capital of Schleswig-Holstein and has been a university town since 1665.