Schilksee: Sailing History, Art and Landscape

Schilksee offers several distinct points of interest to help you choose where to stay: sailing history at the Olympic Centre, art along the beach promenade and in the sculpture park, and the landscape by the beach. There is also a route in Schilksee approximately three kilometres long, with five stops, as well as bus connections to the Olympic Centre and the sailing centre. If you are looking for a hotel, it may help to first decide what will be the focus of your trip: sailing, culture, landscape or an event date.

Sailing history and the Olympic Centre

The foundation stone for the Olympic Centre in Schilksee was laid in 1969 in connection with the sailing events at the 1972 Olympic Games in Kiel. The two years mark different milestones: 1969 marks the laying of the foundation stone, while 1972 marks the sporting event. This connection places the centre within Kiel’s Olympic sailing history without conflating the laying of the foundation stone with the competitions. The Schilksee Olympic Centre is also an official national training centre of the German Sailing Federation (DSV). This adds an institutional role in sailing and a contemporary connection to its historical significance. If you are interested in sailing, you can consider these two aspects separately when choosing your destination.

Clock tower and sculpture park

Alwin Blaue’s clock tower on the beach promenade offers a distinctive feature that can be described in specific terms. It stands on a roughly four-metre-high pillar made of roughly hewn granite blocks. Various maritime animal motifs are carved into the stone, with a clock cube above them. The tower can therefore be appreciated for its materials, motifs and clock element. These details give the structure a distinct place in Schilksee’s cultural identity.

Another connection to art can be found in the sculpture park in the grounds of Gut Seekamp, where works by sculptor Hans Kock are on display. Unlike the clock tower, the focus here is on a sculptor’s works, while the tower is characterised by its distinctive combination of granite, animal motifs and clocks. If art is part of your trip, Schilksee offers different subjects to explore: a striking work on the beach promenade and Hans Kock’s works in the sculpture park.

Landscape and route

Schilksee beach and its surroundings are part of the “Zwischen Heischer Tal und Schilkseer Steilküste” landscape conservation area. This places the beach within a broader landscape setting that offers a perspective on the area distinct from sailing and art.

A route in Schilksee is approximately three kilometres long and includes five stops. The length and number of stops complement each other: the distance indicates the approximate extent, while the stops show how the route is divided.

Bus connections and Kiel Week

Two bus details are useful for finding your way, and they refer to different destinations. Schilksee Olympic Centre is currently served by bus routes 12, 13 and X30. From Kiel Central Station, the sailing centre can be reached on bus routes 30S, 501 and 502. When planning, make sure you choose the right destination and check the timetable before travelling, as bus routes can change.

The Kiel Week event site is located at the Kiel-Schilksee Olympic Centre. If Kiel Week is the reason for your stay, take this location into account when planning. Also check the dates and information about the event site for the relevant edition, as its layout may change from one edition to another.

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