KIEL 
Sightseeing

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The Kiel Canal (Nord-Ostsee-Kanal) with its giant locks is one of the major sightseeing spots. The canal and the locks are in service since 1895.
In the center of the town stands the vast Rathaus (town hall) which dates from the beginning of the 20th century. The main church is the Nikolaikirche (St. Nicholas Church) with its beautiful baptismal font and Gothic altar. After the devastation of Kiel in World War II the church was entirely rebuilt. Outside the curch is a sculpture created by Ernst Barlach. The sculpture is called "Geistkämpfer" and represents the victory of mind over matter. Before the second world war the sculpture had been cut up by the National Socialists. It was reassembled after the war.

Kiel has many museums but the most fascinating one is the "Schleswig-Hollsteinisches Freilichtmuseum" (open air museum of Schleswig-Hollstein).  It is situated in Mollsee at 6 km from the center of Kiel. Here the visitor can see beautiful examples of German rural architecture of the 16th to the 19th century.