Kiel Town Hall Tower

A Campanile for Kiel

When Hermann Billing designed the Town Hall Tower, he looked to the campanile in Venice, creating a deliberately southern European quotation in northern Germany's brick landscape. The 67-meter tower crowns the town hall, completed in 1911 at a time when Kiel was growing rapidly as an imperial naval port. Its construction from 1907 to 1911 fell right in the middle of this booming era. To this day the slender tower shapes the city center's silhouette and is visible from many points around town, especially from the water of the fjord.

Ascent to the Platform

The way up is via a lift and a few final steps. From the viewing platform the view extends over the rooftops of the city center, the Kleiner Kiel with its boat hall, the opera house and on across the fjord to the eastern shore. On clear days you can make out the Hörn Bridge, the shipyards and, with good visibility, even the Laboe Naval Memorial. The ascent is usually only possible as part of guided tours or at certain opening times that vary seasonally. It is worth checking the current notice or the city's website before visiting.

Town Hall and Surroundings

The tower is part of the stately ensemble on Rathausplatz, which also includes the neighboring Art Nouveau opera house. The town hall itself impresses with its historic council chamber and elaborate fittings. After visiting the tower, a stroll across the nearby Kleiner Kiel and on into Holstenstraße makes a fine continuation, both only a few minutes' walk away. Anyone wishing to delve deeper into history can combine the tower well with a visit to the city museum in the Warleberger Hof. Rathausplatz itself is a central transport hub, quickly reached from the station and the city center.