Kiel is a city in northern Germany and the capital of the Bundesland Schleswig-Holstein.
The founder of the city, Count Adolf IV of Schauenburg, saw the exquisite potential offered by the water's edge location at first glance. In 1233, he built his 'Holstenstadt tom Kyle' - today's Kiel - on the peninsula of an arm of the Firth. In 1242, it was established as a city. Nevertheless, from the 14th century, the aristocracy made Kiel into a capital market of significance from the Skagerrak to the Elbe with the annual 'Kieler Umschlag' market. Today, business people in Kiel recall this event with a fun fair every February. A significant boost to the city came with the university, which was founded in 1665. Named after Duke Christian Albrecht, the university made a sustained contribution to the intellectual climate prevailing in the city. The Russian Tsar Peter III was born in Kiel Castle.

	Country:	Germany
	Location:	North
	Country Code:	+49
	Population:	233,244
	Language:	German
	Currency:	Euro (€)
	Time Zone:	GMT+1
	Train Station:	Kiel Station
	Tourism:	Kiel Tourism

By Car Head for Kiel via highway A7 / A 215 Hamburg - Kiel. And then follow the signs to Kiel.

By Train The main Railway station in Kiel has direct connections to the German Rail network.

By Ferry Kiel ferry port has a dense network of traffic to virtually every destination in the Baltic region including the Kiel to Gothenburg, Oslo and Klaipeda ferry crossings.

• Locks of the Kiel Canal
• Maritime Museum
• Kunsthalle Art Museum
• Molfsee Open-Air Museum
• Oceanography Institute Aquarium

The Nikolai Church, dating from 1242, in front of which Ernst Barlachs sculpture of the "Mind Warrior" keeps guard, is located at the Old Market. Only the grave of Kiels founder, Duke Adolf IV of Schauenburg, is preserved in the vault of the former Franciscan Monastery. The Brunswik district stretches from Holtenauer Street to the castle grounds. Two old university institutes are situated right next to the castle grounds: the Zoological Institute with the Zoological Museum and the Institute of Historical Medicine - which also offers an interesting collection. Only a few steps down you will pass the Art Gallery and reach the waterside at the Kiellinie by crossing an elegantly shaped pedestrian bridge. The Old Botanical Garden with its ancient observatory and beautiful old trees is also worthy of a mention. In a beautiful half-timbered house you will find the Literature House, which encourages writers, particularly at the beginning of their careers, by organising readings and exhibitions.