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Kiel

Sparks in the Steel: The 1918 Kiel Mutiny

4.3 km117 min6 stops

What awaits you on this Red Thread tour

Step back into the gritty, freezing autumn of 1918. The German Empire is crumbling, the war is lost, but the naval brass wants one last, suicidal battle. Join your guides on a redthread tour through the streets of Kiel, where ordinary sailors and shipyard workers said 'No.' Discover how a mutiny in the harbor exploded into a full-blown revolution that toppled the Kaiser and birthed a republic. This is a story of blood on the cobblestones, red flags on imperial towers, and the raw power of the people.

Itinerary

1

TOUR START

Wilhelmplatz

The massive open-air rally site where tens of thousands gathered on November 4th, solidifying the revolution's power.

1.62 km • 25 min
2

STOP 2

Intersection Karlstraße / Langer Segen

The bloody turning point where military fired on unarmed demonstrators, igniting the armed uprising.

0.70 km • 11 min
3

STOP 3

Gewerkschaftshaus Kiel

The trade union building that became the organizational heart of the revolution and birthplace of the 14 Points.

Gewerkschaftshaus Kiel

Pic by Siegbert Brey on Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

0.70 km • 11 min
4

STOP 4

Kieler Rathaus (Town Hall)

The seat of civic government, quickly taken over by revolutionaries who hoisted a red flag from its tower.

Kieler Rathaus (Town Hall)

Pic by Christian Alexander Tietgen on Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)

0.86 km • 13 min
5

STOP 5

Kieler Schloss

The naval headquarters where Admiral Souchon was forced to surrender to the mutineers.

Kieler Schloss

Pic by Rüdiger Stehn on Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0)

0.38 km • 6 min
6

END

Ostseekai / Kiel Harbor

Overlooking the waters where the High Seas Fleet anchored, and where the initial mutiny began.

Ostseekai / Kiel Harbor

Pic by Pedemann on Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Where the tour takes place

Starting point and rough tour area – the exact route unfolds in the app.

Good to know

  • Ideal for History buffs, urban explorers, and anyone fascinated by grassroots revolutions and the hidden stories of everyday people changing the world.
  • Best time Late afternoon to early evening, when the fading light matches the gritty, historical atmosphere of November 1918.
  • Dress warmly Kiel gets windy, especially near the harbor. Bring a good coat.
  • Use your imagination Much of Kiel was rebuilt after WWII. Let the audio paint the past.
  • Comfortable shoes We will be walking through the city center and down to the waterfront.
  • Your voucher You can redeem your voucher for two years from purchase. Once redeemed, you have 14 days of access and can enjoy the tour as often as you like during that time.

Your guide

Max Krämer
Audio sample
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Max Krämer

  • History & Memory
  • Northern Germany

Historian with a passion for urban places of remembrance. Has worked in archives and museums for years; shows the traces of revolutions, monuments, and colonial pasts in today's streets.

Frequently asked questions

How do I get to the tour after buying?

You see your voucher code right after payment – and you also receive it at the email address you entered at checkout. Redeem that code in the Red Thread app; that's where the tour starts.

When does my access start?

Only when you redeem the code in the app, not at purchase. From redemption you have 14 days of access to the tour.

Do I need the Red Thread app?

Yes. The free Red Thread app turns your tour into a vivid experience: with audio, a map, and thoughtful prompts, it guides you from place to place in an engaging and entertaining way. It's available free for iOS and Android.

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