exploring Bremen & its surrounding areas
You are here: worth seeing in the surroundings
Wilhelmshaven, seaside city on the North Sea bay Jadebusen (3/4)
City Theater
However, there is more to discover in the port city on the Jadebusen, e.g. the Kurpark with a water tower built from brick in 1910/11, it was the third of its kind and is still in operation with its two water tanks. On the way from the train station - or rather, the shopping mall "NordseePassage" with double track connection - to the Kurpark, you pass by the charming Robert-Koch House.The building erected between 1905 and 1906 in Neo-Renaissance style diagonally opposite the city theater with the state stage was originally constructed as an office for the „Landräthlichen Hülfsbeamten“.
The Robert-Koch House with its carillon in the gable
The house bears the name of the famous physician and microbiologist because Robert Koch came to Wilhelmshaven in 1908 to help combat malaria, which people from the colonies had brought with them. The carillon in the gable of the house dates back to 1957 and was a donation from the financier Arnold D.M.Henning to his hometown on the occasion of his 70th birthday that year.
The Wilhelmshaven Kunsthalle with the sculpture „Seemannsgarn“ (sailor's yarn) by artist Leonard Wübbena. The artwork has stood since 1996 as a permanent loan in front of the rather plain building
Turning right around the corner past the courthouse erected in 1878 and thus one of the oldest buildings in the city ,the path leads left into the green space Adalbertplatz, on whose edge the Wilhelmshaven Kunsthalle has its premises,and which is followed first by Gorch-Fock-Platz and further on by Kurpark. With the Friesenbrunnen erected around 1933, there is another water structure in the Kurpark besides the water tower. Water is pumped up from a depth of 231 meters and flows into the collection basin of the rather plain fountain.
Old Water Tower on Gökerstraße
However, the oldest water tower in Wilhelmshaven stands not far from the park, a few meters next to the old shipyard gate on the street named after its architect. The 14-meter-high classical building from 1870 is considered the city’s oldest publicly financed structure. That the 60-cubic-meter-capacity tower, renovated in 1896 and again in 1908, escaped demolition and was preserved is thanks to the enterprising bookseller and publisher Volker Eissing, who passed away in 2005. “Volker’s Tower“, as the structure is named on a memorial plaque, passed into the hands of the association for preserving Wilhelmshaven’s architectural heritage in April 2019. Instead of water, culture is now on the program.
The Kaiser-Wilhelm-Fountain next to the Torpedo Caserne on one side and the Air-Raid Shelter on the other
However, the city’s landmark is another one, and fitting for a port city - it stands by the water. Taking the path from the train station via the former Roon - and today Rheinstraße, you pass by the back of the elongated Torpedo Caserne and the former market square. On the edge of this square toward the caserne has stood since 1902 or 1907 Wilhelmshaven’s oldest decorative fountain. The protected 7.50-meter-high Kaiser-Wilhelm-Fountain was designed by the Berlin sculptor Karl Schuler, who had already created the Adalbertdenkmal in 1882, and realized in Wesersandstein.
The turret-like structure next to it is a seven-story air-raid shelter erected here in 1940. 416 people found refuge inside during air raids. To preserve the overall visual impression, the bunker was clad with a brick façade.
Kaiser-Wilhelm-Bridge
Following Rheinstraße and turning right onto „Zur Kaiser-Wilhelm-Brücke“ street, you soon stand on said bridge. It is the city’s landmark. The double-leaf pivot bridge has a span of 159 meters and was built between 1905 and 1907 by MAN Werk Gustavsburg based on a design by construction official Ernst Troschel. After more than a century, the four bridge houses and the 758 tons of steel incorporated required urgent renovation, so the bridge was closed in 2011 and restored to its current state by 2012. This includes a new LED-based lighting concept that makes the steel structure appear in good light after dusk. Since the structure is only 8 meters wide, a traffic light regulates vehicular traffic; pedestrians can cross the bridge at any time as long as it is open.
Sculpture „Kleiner Wassergeist“ (little Water spirit) by artist Hartmut Wiesner (1987) in the passageway from Südstrandpromenade (South Beach Promenade) to Deutsches Marinemuseum
The Kaiser-Wilhelm-Bridge spans Zwischenhafen and connects Südstadt with Südstrand. From the bridge’s center, you have a good view of Großer Hafen (harbor), the open water of Jadebusen, and the outdoor area of the Marinemuseum with its ships and boats, as well as directly across from the museum the UNESCO World Natural Heritage Wadden Sea Visitor Center, where you can learn much about the wadden sea - participation encouraged.
Main entrance of the Wadden Sea Visitor Center
Behind it stretches the 700-meter-long car-free Südstrandpromenade (South Beach Promenade) laid out between 1926 and 1928. The strolling promenade made of red brick lies on the seawall built up in the 19th century with harbor construction and was renovated to its current form from 1985 to 1987 - and it really is stylish.
From times past: armored snail in the aquarium
On the other side of the roughly hip-high flood wall stand small hotels, restaurants, cafés, shops, and the aquarium across the way. Between them, permanent seating has been created, trees planted, and enclosed flower beds laid out. In warm seasons, some beach huts as well as tables and chairs from the gastronomy are added, so lively bustle prevails here.
Quiet returns to South Beach Promenade in autumn
The promenade is adorned by some artworks, such as the Jadenixen on a boulder by Wilhelmshaven artist Rose-Marianne Hendrischk, who created the bronzes in 2003. The three Graces apparently inspired contemporaries to „borrow“ them unasked, but at least anonymously return them after a public appeal.
Typically North German: Labskaus with fried egg, beet, pickled cucumber, and rollmops
A few meters away lies the beach resort with DLRG (rescue) station and steps leading into the water. Sadly, you must forgo sand beach - the south beach is diked along its entire length as well as reinforced with stones at the water’s edge, and due to currents, swimming is not permitted everywhere.
"Windwächter" (wind guardians) by Klaus Evenburg (2000) on south beach
Map
Further information
Tourist Information
Ebertstraße 110
26382 Wilhelmshaven
Phone: +49 (0) 4421 913000
Open: Monday – Friday 10 AM – 6 PM, Saturday 10 AM – 4 PM
Email: tourist-info@wilhelmshaven-touristik.de
www.wilhelmshaven-touristik.de
Stiftung Deutsches Marinemuseum
Südstrand 125
26382 Wilhelmshaven
Phone: +49 (0) 4421 400840
Open: April 1 – October 31 daily 10 AM – 6 PM, November 1 – March 31 daily 10 AM – 5 PM, Closed December 24
Email: info@marinemuseum.de
www.marinemuseum.de
UNESCO World Heritage Wadden Sea Visitor Center
Südstrand 110 b
26382 Wilhelmshaven
Phone: +49 (0) 4421 910733
Open: January – March: Tuesday – Sunday 10 AM – 5 PM, April – June: Daily 10 AM – 5 PM, July – August: Daily 10 AM – 6 PM, September – October: Daily 10 AM – 5 PM, November – December: Tuesday – Sunday 10 AM – 5 PM
Closed: December 23–25, 31
Email: info@wattenmeer-besucherzentrum.de
www.wattenmeer-besucherzentrum.de
Küstenmuseum Wilhelmshaven
Weserstraße 58
26382 Wilhelmshaven
Phone: +49 (0) 4421 400940
Open: February – November: Tuesday – Sunday 11 AM – 5 PM
Closed in December
www.kuestenmuseum.de
Kunsthalle Wilhelmshaven
Adalbertstraße 28
26382 Wilhelmshaven
Phone: +49 (0) 4421 41448
Open: Tuesday 2 PM – 8 PM, Wednesday – Sunday 11 AM – 5 PM
Closed: Monday, December 24–26, 31, January 1
Email: kunsthalle@wilhelmshaven-touristik.de
www.kunsthalle-wilhelmshaven.de
Kulturzentrum Pumpwerk
Banter Deich 1a
26382 Wilhelmshaven
Email: pumpwerk@wilhelmshaven-touristik.de
www.pumpwerk.de
Aquarium Wilhelmshaven Bullermeck GmbH
Südstrand 123
26382 Wilhelmshaven
Phone: +49 (0) 4421 5066444
Open: Daily 10 AM – 6 PM
Closed: Christmas Eve
Email: info@aquarium-wilhelmshaven.de
www.aquarium-wilhelmshaven.de
Dangast
Dangast is located on the Jadebusen, a 190 km² sea bay at the North Sea created by storm surges. The town, which belongs to Varel, is a popular holiday and excursion destination. Campers will find two campsites right by the water here, and cyclists have excellent conditions for tours in the surrounding area. The rhubarb cake in the picture is a classic with a rich tradition at the old spa house, which has been run by a family business for several generations.
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The East Frisian Island Wangerooge
Among the inhabited East Frisian Islands, Wangerooge is the second smallest (7.94 km²) after Baltrum and car-free, making a stroll through town much more pleasant compared to other islands, especially since distances can easily be covered on foot. From the small train station, you're just a few steps away from the heart of the village, quickly finding yourself in front of the unmistakable Old Lighthouse, which now houses the island museum. From 1856 to 1969, this lighthouse served as a maritime navigation aid, guiding ships safely along their routes. Just how far its light could be seen becomes clear when you climb the 149 steps to the lantern room—from there, you can step out onto the surrounding gallery and enjoy a sweeping view of the island and the North Sea.
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Heligoland - a day trip
Germany's only supposed high-seas island is a destination for thousands of visitors each year, most of whom are day-trippers during the warmer months. And yes, admittedly, Heligoland isn't immediately in Bremen's surrounding area. However, it can be reached as a day trip from Bremerhaven and Cuxhaven - which is why we decided to visit.
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Bremerhaven in general
Bremerhaven was only founded in 1827. To secure its status as a port city amid the threat of the Weser - Bremen's lifeline - silting up, Bremen purchased 342 acres of land at the mouth of the Weser from the Kingdom of Hanover for 74,000 talers under then-mayor Johann Smidt. About 60 kilometers downstream from Bremen, this became the site of the first urgently needed seaport built by Bremen, known as the Alter Hafen (Old Harbor), completed by 1830.
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Bremerhaven - Überseehafen (Overseas Port)
In addition to the Old Harbor (now the Museum Harbor), which was the first to be built, other ports were later added. Adjacent to the New Harbor lies Kaiserhafen I, the first in a series of additional harbor basins. Even a glance into this initial section of the expansive port area reveals a different world of maritime activity - one of large ships. And we will see even larger ones along the five-kilometer-long quay on the Weser.
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Weser cruise from Bremen to Bremerhaven
Of course, you can take a car for a visit to Bremerhaven from Bremen or board the regional train at the main station. However, with suitable weather and enough time, it is more interesting to cover the route on the Weser by ship. The shipping company "Hal över" operates the connection from May to September. The ship departs from the Martinianleger near the city center along the Schlachte. Those who wish can even take their bicycle with them; additionally, you can pre-book a breakfast onboard.
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Brake & the River Island of Harriersand
As soon as spring arrives and the temperatures reach around 20 degrees, many Northern Germans are drawn to the North Sea coast. The main attraction? A beach to lie in the sun and sand for children to dig and build castles. This also draws many people from Bremen to the highways heading north on warm weekends, equipped with bags packed and picnic baskets ready for a day of seaside relaxation. But why travel far when the nearest beach is just around the corner? A visit to Brake and Harriersand proves that.
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Oldenburg
The third-largest city in Lower Saxony today was once the seat and capital of ruling counts, dukes, and grand dukes, later a Free State and state capital. Remnants of the time when nobles ruled the city include the palace and numerous primarily neoclassical buildings in the city center. But even beyond that, there is much to discover in the expansive, largely car-free inner city. And again and again, one comes across water during a stroll, such as the Old City Harbor.
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Vegesack
The most interesting area extends around the ferry terminal. From the seats of the nearby cafés and restaurants, you can almost watch the ferry operations. In front of the square stand the enormous lower jaws of a blue whale. Measuring 7.1 meters long, up to 1 meter wide, and weighing 1.2 tons, these bones belonged to a 26-meter-long animal that the port town received as a gift in 1961.
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