The blimp Graf Zeppelin tethered in the farmstead of Hernán CebollaAndalusian Archives
Located on the shores of Lake Constance, the birthplace of the Zeppelin airship, the Zeppelin Museum chronicles the history of these extraordinary flying machines. The only museum in Germany to mix technology and art, the museum gives visitors the chance to learn how design, science and innovation all combined to take man high up into the skies.
The floating hangar near Manzell on Lake ConstanceZeppelin Museum Friedrichshafen
Explore the Zeppelin Museum from home to learn more about these fascinating machines, their short-lived heyday and the impact they had on international travel.
Inside the Hindenburg
One of the highlights of the Zeppelin Museum is the full scale, partial recreation of the LZ 129 Hindenburg, the most infamous airship ever built. The replica is 33m long and gives visitors an authentic feel of the airship’s interior décor and gargantuan size. Visit the bar, smokers lounge, and toilets and take a peek inside the passenger cabins.
All passenger cabins are kitted out with aluminum beds, wall-hung wash basins and folding tables. Though small, these well-equipped spaces feel virtually luxurious compared to the cramped seats of modern transatlantic aircraft.
The LZ 129 Hindenburg flew for 14 months from March 1936 to May 1937. On its final journey, the airship burst into flames when coming into land in Manchester Township, New Jersey. The resulting disaster claimed 36 lives and caused many to lose faith in Zeppelins. It was one of the first aviation disasters to be caught on camera and so has captured public imagination ever since.
The development of the Zeppelin
As well as the replica of the Hindenburg, the Zeppelin Museum also features a wealth of information on the invention and development of the Zeppelin. Take a stroll around to learn how these incredible aircraft were built and how they were propelled across oceans and continents.
Many of the parts that went into the construction of Zeppelins were beautifully designed and engineered to be aesthetically pleasing as well as practical. It’s in this detail that we can begin to see how art and technology came together to create one of the most iconic vehicles of the 20th century.
The Cafe
Once you’ve had a good look around the Zeppelins, why not head out for a virtual coffee at the museum’s café? Offering a fantastic view of Lake Constance, it’s the perfect place to get a little fresh air.
From the café, you can see the Moleturm, a popular observation tower that juts out into the lake and offers panoramic views of the surrounding area.
This bird’s eye viewpoint gives you a good idea of what passengers would have seen as they took off or landed in a Zeppelin from the local area.
Air Airs ZeppelinLIFE Photo Collection
You can learn more about the Zeppelin Museum and the incredible exhibits it contains, here.