Fort Wilhelm

Fort Wilhelm was a fortification in Bremerhaven with a semicircular brick structure that extended across land at the Weser estuary. The building featured two stories and eighteen cannons positioned to defend the harbor.

The Kingdom of Hanover built the fort in 1834 to secure control of the Weser estuary and protect the new harbor development. After becoming part of Prussia, the facility was abandoned in 1866 and briefly served as a cholera hospital.

The name references William of Brunswick, who ruled Hanover. Remnants of the site remind visitors of an era when fortifications shaped the city's landscape.

The site sits at the Weser estuary and is reachable by public transport from downtown Bremerhaven. Since little of the original structure remains, the visit works best for those interested in local history.

The fort temporarily stored the figurehead from the Danish frigate Christian VIII after its sinking in 1849. The ship's bow ornament was later acquired by Duke Ernst II of Coburg and moved elsewhere.

Location: Bremerhaven

GPS coordinates: 53.53830,8.57861

Latest update: December 14, 2025 13:03