Ready to uncover the secrets of Bremerhaven Mitte? The heart of the city beats strong here at the mouth of the Weser into the North Sea.
Mitte has transformed remarkably. An old harbor area is now a tourist and cultural magnet. This transformation earned significant recognition. It even won awards.
The Weser dike excites maritime fans. Promenade along the dike. Admire museum ships. Mitte offers a cultural center. You will find museums here. The German Maritime Museum is a highlight. Explore the Climate House 8° East. Discover the German Emigration Center. Visit the Zoo am Meer. It is all here in Mitte.
A yacht harbor sits directly on the Old Harbor. It attracts sailors and motorboat enthusiasts. They come to Bremerhaven. At the southern tip, you will find more. An art museum and a municipal theater offer cultural experiences. Visitor numbers prove the concept is a success.
But how did Bremerhaven Mitte become what it is today? Bremen bought land in 1827. The land included terrain and foreland of the Carlsburg fortress. This fortress was once Swedish. It was never completed. Bremerhaven was founded here. The city got its name on May 1 1827. This area is today’s Mitte district. The Old Harbor was completed by 1830.
Bremerhaven Mitte grew quickly. By 1854 it was Europe’s largest emigration port. Traffic to the USA was especially important. The North German Lloyd was founded in 1857. From 1873 to 1876, the Kaiserhafen I was built. The first Kaiser lock was created then too.
The North German Lloyd became Bremen’s largest shipping company. By 1881, it was the world’s largest. Larger ships could not pass the lock. Between 1890 and 1897, processing took place in Nordenham. The Kaiserhafen II and III were built by 1909. Bremerhaven became world-famous. This was because of significant ship departures and arrivals. The Columbuskaje was completed in 1927. It included the Columbus station. This was a train station by the sea. Passenger facilities were rebuilt after World War II. Passenger facility II was rebuilt in 1962. The older facility was demolished. The container terminal was built from 1968. It has been expanded since 1978. Today it has 14 berths. The quay is almost 5 km long.
But there is even more to discover about Bremerhaven Mitte. The Bürgermeister-Smidt Memorial Church is iconic. The Columbus Center offers shopping. The old citizen building shows history. The Loschenturm lighthouse guides ships. The Atlantic Hotel Sail City has a viewing platform. The German Emigration Center tells stories. The Haven Worlds combine experiences. The North Lock features a container observation tower.
Bremerhaven Mitte welcomes you. Experience maritime history. Explore culture. Enjoy the unique atmosphere. Take a piece of this fascinating story with you.