ZEPPELIN MUSEUM FRIEDRICHSHAFEN
Flying Glory of the Airship on Lake Constanz
Climb
the retracting gangway into the belly of the gigantic silver beast you’d
think is just too huge to actually fly, anticipating with excitement the
coming flight across the Atlantic from Germany to America
in this incredible airship machine, the Hindenburg, the largest aircraft
ever to fly. Wait a minute, didn’t the Hindenburg explode in flames
in 1937 in the world’s
most famous air disaster. How can we be climbing inside of this long
since departed aircraft technology icon? Because we are taking flight at
the Zeppelin Museum at the port of 
Freidrichshafen
on Lake Constanz (der Bodensee)
in southwest Germany. With
the snow capped Alps in the distance on the border of Germany and Switzerland,
Lake Constance
is one of the
worlds most beautiful land locked
seas. Bavaria on one side and the Black Forest of Baden on the other.
Freidrichshafen is midpoint on the lake's eastern shore, its harbor
a take off point for ferries
and lake
cruises.
It’s
airport is the most convenient for this southern end of Germany.
Within
a few walking steps of the harbor rail station (Hafenbahnhof),
the Zeppelin Museum takes up residence in a 30's Bauhuas style former
Zeppelin company factory headquarters. Inventor
and visionary industrialist Count Frederick Zeppelin (Graf von Zeppelin)
died before many of the machines that 
bear
his name flew, but his name will
be
forever
associated
with
the idea of dirigibles and blimps, though a more defined explanation
of the difference between hard structured and soft skinned flying machines
can better be found at his namesake museum. The entrance into the museum’s
display floor is through a recreated section of the doomed Hindenburg,
allowing a clear and impressive view of the metallic spans and network
of structural ribs that formed the massive football shape of the lighter
than air machine. Look out the observation windows from the recreated
airship lounge bar.
Inside,
the exhibits range from engine designs, models, drawings and photograph
collections showing the history, development
and lore of the air machines that have until recently faded into history.
It is not only German airships that are represented, but Zeppelin's
engines for Dornier aircraft and construction machinery. American and
British
designs as well are represented. It is here that you can see actual
remaining pieces of the Hindenburg, including the mooring post nose
pylon which
may have caused its’ spectacular end, china diner service and
menus.
Zeppelin Flights
For
the adventurous, never satisfied with being tethered and aching to
escape the bounds of Earth
desiring
the actual flying experience,
you are not restricted to the museum. Look to the skies over the lake
and you will see a modern day airship floating majesticly against the
clouds. The Deutsche-Reederei company is offering Zeppilin flights
from Friedrichshafen
Airport. The flights are not cheap however, starting at €210 per
person for a 30 minute tour, up to €750 for 2 hours. Children get
a discount of €100 off the longer flights. To fly in a military jet ot a biplane the Altenrhein Fliegermuseum is just across the border in Switzerland (see Flight Museum Altenrhein).
Where to stay
The Best Western Goldenes Rad (Golden
Wheel) is located in the center of Friedrichshafen’s
harbor pedestrian tourist area, two minutes walk from the museum, rail
station and harbor
cruises, with excellent
restaurant and a popular bar. By car, you can drop off luggage, but parking
is in the public parking garage, head to the lower
level 2, a short walk away. © Bargain
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See Also:
BAVARIAN ARMY MUSEUM INGOLSTADT
FLIGHT MUSEUM ALTENRHEIN-ST GALLEN
DEUTSCHES MUSEUM
