Once built as an impregnable fortress, it served as a military school and research center, and was later an escape-proof, gloomy prison island: Wilhelmstein Island. Today it is a romantic retreat, an excursion destination and always offers an unforgettable experience. As soon as you moor your boat and set foot on Wilhelmstein Island for the first time, you will feel it: a world of its own, incomparable in history and construction throughout Europe. Let yourself be carried away to an island that connects past and present. Let's go to Wilhelmstein!
The small island - each side of Wilhelmstein is just 120 metres long - in Lower Saxony's largest inland lake delights its visitors today as it did then. Immerse yourself in the atmosphere of times gone by and visit the fortress. Experience eerie living and prison cells, ancient weapons and cannons, the little castle, the wedding chamber and, of course, the sensational view from the tower, the highest point of the island.
The Fortress
It was supposed to be impregnable - and it was. Count Wilhelm, a military leader and influential military theorist who was also successful in Portugal, had built it to defend Schaumburg-Lippe. He was proven right. In 1787, the small state was occupied by Hessian soldiers: Only the island of Wilhelmstein with its stellar-shaped fortress, state-of-the-art cannons and outlying works resisted!
The most beautiful sunny underpasses
Small gardens, idyllic paths and waterfront seating areas around the old fortress invite you to linger. Discover art objects, the exhibition space Naturpark Steinhuder Meer, the fortress as a walk-in museum, delicious food, the maritime little stone houses of the island resort and the most beautiful sunsets you have ever seen.
FAMOUS POINT OF APPRECIATION
Wilhelmstein Island was used as a military school, science and research center and also as an observatory. It attracted many famous visitors - and was even the model for the Portuguese fortress Fort de Lippe near Elvas. The world's first submarine, the "Steinhuder Hecht", was developed here as a prototype. Until 1876, the island was Schaumburg-Lippe's state prison and the first German prison island.
Texte
Mascha Labischinski | text am meer
The small island - each side of Wilhelmstein is just 120 metres long - in Lower Saxony's largest inland lake delights its visitors today as it did then. Immerse yourself in the atmosphere of times gone by and visit the fortress. Experience eerie living and prison cells, ancient weapons and cannons, the little castle, the wedding chamber and, of course, the sensational view from the tower, the highest point of the island.
The Fortress
It was supposed to be impregnable - and it was. Count Wilhelm, a military leader and influential military theorist who was also successful in Portugal, had built it to defend Schaumburg-Lippe. He was proven right. In 1787, the small state was occupied by Hessian soldiers: Only the island of Wilhelmstein with its stellar-shaped fortress, state-of-the-art cannons and outlying works resisted!
The most beautiful sunny underpasses
Small gardens, idyllic paths and waterfront seating areas around the old fortress invite you to linger. Discover art objects, the exhibition space Naturpark Steinhuder Meer, the fortress as a walk-in museum, delicious food, the maritime little stone houses of the island resort and the most beautiful sunsets you have ever seen.
FAMOUS POINT OF APPRECIATION
Wilhelmstein Island was used as a military school, science and research center and also as an observatory. It attracted many famous visitors - and was even the model for the Portuguese fortress Fort de Lippe near Elvas. The world's first submarine, the "Steinhuder Hecht", was developed here as a prototype. Until 1876, the island was Schaumburg-Lippe's state prison and the first German prison island.
Texte
Mascha Labischinski | text am meer
Good to know
Openings
During the season, from 20.03. - 31.10. the museum is open for you from 10:00 to 17:00 (weather permitting).
Price info
Price adult: €4.00
Price child: €2.00
Eligibility
Suitable for any weather
for Groups
for Class
for familys
for individual guests
Pet allowed
Suitable for the Elderly
for Children of all Ages
Other Furnishing/Equipment
Toilet
Baby Change
Payment methods
chargeable, Cash payment on site, Cash card / EC card
Contact person
Steinhuder Meer Tourismus GmbH
Company
Meerstraße 15-19
31515 Wunstorf
Nearby
