Friedrichshafen: Port Station

1931 – 1933

Architect: Karl Hagenmeyer

Seestraße 22, Friedrichshafen, Germany

The former reception building of the port railway station in Friedrichshafen on Lake Constance opened in 1933. It was built between 1931 and 1933 according to plans by architect Karl Hagenmeyer in the New Objectivity style.

The building is a steel skeleton construction with hollow stone infill.

Today, the building houses the Zeppelin Museum Friedrichshafen.

Historical Background

In 1847, Friedrichshafen became the first city on Lake Constance with a rail connection.

The Württemberg Southern Railway planned to build a rail link from the city station to the lake. This would enable ships to transfer directly to the railroad, significantly reducing transport costs.

In 1850, the first port railway station was completed and attached to the east gable of the former Salzstadel.

Port Station

Rail ferry service across the lake began east of the port station in 1869.

From 1885 to 1886, a new, representative building with half-timbered fronts and bay windows was erected on the site of the original, simple harbor station. The upper floor housed a restaurant with a terrace.

The post office was also housed here until a new one was built.

In 1929, Deutsche Reichsbahn decided to divide the area around the harbor station, which sprawled with many warehouse buildings and hindered urban development.

Relocating the freight station to Löwentaler Straße (1929/30) and constructing a road underpass made room for a spacious new harbor station building, designed by building councilor Karl Hagenmayer and built under the direction of Reichsbahn director Alfred Nägele.

Tracks for passenger trains were laid on embankments behind the new harbor station, creating the later Buchhornplatz.

Reconstruction and Conversion

The harbor station was heavily destroyed during World War II and rebuilt according to the old plans.

In 1988, Deutsche Bahn sold the building to the city of Friedrichshafen.

From 1993 to 1996, the building was converted into the Zeppelin Museum after a new terminal building for railroad, customs, and shipping companies was constructed at Fähreplatz.