Schifffahrtsmuseum Fischhalle

About the museum

The building on the Kiel Fjord waterfront was designed by city architect Georg Pauly and opened in 1910 as the municipal fish market hall. Beneath its striking barrel roof, the fish trade, previously scattered around the harbor, was brought together in one place; the catch was kept fresh in two large tanks and auctioned off in the mornings, surrounded by the shops of retail traders.

The hall survived World War II largely undamaged, but lost its function in 1948 when the new sea fish market opened at the mouth of the Schwentine. A demolition approved in 1966 was never carried out, and the building has been a listed monument since 1972.

On April 30, 1978, the newly founded Kiel Maritime Museum opened here; today it is part of the state capital's Kieler Stadt- und Schifffahrtsmuseum. After extensive renovation, the museum reopened in 2014, followed in 2020 by the new permanent exhibition on the city's maritime history.

Using ship models, marine paintings, nautical instruments and large objects, the exhibition shows how closely Kiel's development is tied to its harbor, shipbuilding, the navy and sailing. During the season, historic museum ships are moored at the neighboring Museumsbrücke Seegarten.

Highlights

• Listed 1910 fish market hall with a barrel roof, right on the fjord
• 18th-century Ellerbek fishing boat
• Wreckage of a Seehund-class midget submarine
• Ship models, marine paintings and nautical instruments
• Museum ships such as the buoy tender “Bussard” and the lifeboat “Hindenburg” at the Museumsbrücke

Permanent exhibitions

• Marine, Werften, Segelsport – die Geschichte der Hafenstadt Kiel – Permanent exhibition on the city's maritime history, on display since 2020 and focusing on the 19th and 20th centuries, from fishing and shipbuilding to Kiel Week.

Founded

1978

Operated by

Landeshauptstadt Kiel (Kieler Stadt- und Schifffahrtsmuseum)

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Free admission. Fees or material costs may apply for special guided tours, workshops and special events; children's rally available for a €5 deposit.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Accessible entrance with automatic door, wheelchair-accessible restroom; accessible parking space at the Sartorispeicher (Wall 49, approx. 200 m away). The museum ships at the Museumsbrücke are not accessible.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide

Children's tour "Auf Expedition durch die Fischhalle" (On an expedition through the fish hall) for children ages 5 and up with an adult (60 min., registration required). Museum scavenger hunt with a seabag for 6- to 8-year-olds (€5 deposit) and a free treasure hunt for 8- to 12-year-olds.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.

Plan your visit