The German Maritime Museum (DSM) is located at the very heart of Bremerhaven on a park-like area stretching between the main shopping mall and the River Weser dyke. The premises includes a small park, playground and benches, and its appearance is dominated by large objects of a maritime nature such as navigation markers, cranes and the museum's own fleet of ships.
Bremerhaven's Alter Hafen or Old Port is today the Museum Port. It was the first construction site of the town of Bremerhaven, which was founded in 1827 by the Free and Hanseatic City of Bremen on the northern shore of the River Geeste. In 1830 the Alter Hafen was opened together with its chamber lock, which allowed Bremen to maintain its position as a leading overseas port and trading centre. Little of the original historic substance remains today as a result of various factors – changing industrial exploitation, primarily in the fisheries sector, but also devastation during World War II and partial landfill of the harbour basin.
Picture: Hans-Jürgen Darlison