This protected cruiser (classed so because of it's armored deck and lack of an armored belt) was one of five in the Victoria Luise Class of 1895. Small for their armament, these five sister ships were initially armed with two 21cm (8.3'') guns in turrets and eight 15cm (5.9'') guns in casemates, along with ten 8.8cm (3.5'') and ten 3.7cm (1.5'') guns, complemented by 3 torpedo tubes.

Propelled by three shafts and complementing screws, they could reach a speed of 19,2 knots, quite fast for their time.

Initially, a staggering number of 30 (!) ships of this class were planned, but after a change of command and plans only seven were requested and of those only five were funded. Laid down in 1895 and onward the ships were named SMS Victoria Luise, SMS Hertha, SMS Vineta, SMS Freya and SMS Hansa.
All the ships served throughout the first two decades of the 20. century, mainly in training roles. Surviving the first world war, all five were scrapped in post-WW1 Germany.