[1] The foundation is considered the oldest still existing social fund [s] in Europe, the establishment of which was approved and confirmed in a document by the City Council of Bremen in 1545.
The portal of Haus Seefahrt, the monastery building and two sculptures on the site are under cultural heritage protection.
[2] In the Middle Ages, before the Reformation,seafarers in the city of Bremen had the prospect of the church supporting them with gifts in times of poverty.
When the events of the Reformation limited daily help for the poor outside the church doors, seafarers and their families who got into trouble because of accidents or the loss of a ship went away empty-handed.
Likewise, the seafarers contribute their financial share through the annual payment of their travel or countryman's allowance and thereby acquire the right to the services of the foundation.