Kiel is a city in northern Germany and the capital of the Bundesland Schleswig-Holstein Located on the Baltic Sea (Bay of Kiel) at the head of the Kieler Förde (Kiel fjord), the city has been one the country's main naval bases since the 1860s. Kiel is a center for German shipbuilders and the eastern terminus of the Kiel Canal. A renowned university, the Christian-Albrechts-Universität (established 1665), is located in Kiel.
Kiel is very famous for its sailing events, including the Kieler Woche, (Kiel Week), one of the biggest sailing events in the world. In 1936 and 1972, when the Olympic Games were held in Berlin and Munich respectively, the Olympic sailing competitions were held in Kiel-Schilksee.

Attractions

In the vicinity of Kiel are seaside resorts such as Kiel-Strande, Kiel-Schilksee, Möltenort and Laboe. Laboe has an important naval memorial, as well as the WWII-era submarine U-995, a popular tourist site since 1972.
Sights in Kiel include:

• The Nikolaikirche (church of St Nicholas, 14th/15th century)
• Der Geistkämpfer (The Spirit Fighter), a sculpture by Ernst Barlach in front of the Nikolaikirche
• The ruins of the Castle (a 16th century castle not rebuilt after WWII)
• The Rathaus (town hall, 1911)
• a WWII-era air raid bunker (not open for tourism)
• Fernmeldeturm Kiel
• Ostseehalle