M/S Maritime Museum of Denmark
Hovedstaden
The M/S Maritime Museum of Denmark, located in Helsingør, offers a comprehensive exploration of Danish maritime history from the 15th century to the present. Originally established in 1915 and housed at Kronborg Castle, the museum relocated in 2013 to a unique underground building designed by Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) around a former dry dock. The museum's extensive collections include model ships, paintings, photographs, and artifacts illustrating key periods such as the Napoleonic Wars and Danish trade with Asia. It also features special exhibitions on navigation, lifeboat services, lighthouses, shipbuilding, and sailors' lives. The innovative architecture integrates the old dry dock as a central empty space, evoking the feel of a ship's deck, with ramps and bridges connecting exhibition areas. The museum is part of the Kulturhavn Kronborg cultural initiative alongside Kronborg Castle and Helsingør Harbour. It also hosts educational programs, workshops, conferences, and cultural events, making it a vibrant center for maritime heritage and learning.
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Astuce: Visit during weekdays or outside peak summer months to enjoy a quieter experience. Advance ticket purchase is recommended, especially for school groups and workshops. The museum offers educational programs and occasional discounts for groups and seniors. Take advantage of the café and cultural events hosted on site. Accessibility is good, but check opening hours on official website before planning your visit.
Faits intéressants
- •The museum is built around a former dry dock that measures 150 meters long, 25 meters wide, and 9 meters deep, which remains an empty space within the museum.
- •The architect Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) designed the museum to evoke the feeling of a ship's deck using ramps and bridges inside the dry dock.
- •The museum's collection includes over 33,000 photographs documenting virtually all Danish ships since 1880.
- •It received multiple prestigious architecture awards including the Architizer A+ Award, 2014 RIBA EU Award, and 2014 WAF Award in the culture category.
- •The museum is part of Kulturhavn Kronborg, a cultural initiative that combines Kronborg Castle, the Maritime Museum, Kulturværftet, and Helsingør Harbour.
Histoire
Founded in 1915, the museum was originally located within Kronborg Castle, reflecting its historical connection to Danish maritime power.
In 2013, it moved to a newly constructed underground building in a former dry dock designed by Bjarke Ingels Group, due to height restrictions near the UNESCO-listed Kronborg Castle.
The transformation preserved the historic dry dock as a central architectural feature.
The museum's name changed from the Danish Trade and Maritime Museum to M/S Maritime Museum of Denmark at the end of 2011.
Since its relocation, it has gained international acclaim for its innovative design and comprehensive maritime collections.
Guide du lieu
Dry Dock Exhibition Hall2013
The museum is built underground around the historic dry dock, which remains an open central space crossed by ramps and bridges. This design creates an immersive experience reminiscent of a ship's deck, connecting various exhibition areas.
Maritime Collections
The museum houses extensive collections including model ships, paintings, and over 33,000 photographs illustrating Danish shipping history from the 15th century to today. Exhibits cover the Napoleonic Wars, Danish trade with Asia, navigation, lifeboats, lighthouses, shipbuilding, and sailor life.
Educational and Cultural Facilities2013
The museum features teaching facilities, workshops, and a café, supporting educational programs, conferences, and cultural events that engage visitors of all ages in maritime heritage.
Contact
Téléphone: 49 21 06 85
