Have you heard of The Wreck Museum- wrakkenmuseum– on the Dutch island of Terschelling? It’s the perfect place to dive into the history of shipwrecks and beach combing in this area.
The island of Terschelling, located just of the Dutch coast in the Wadden sea, is known for it’s outstanding natural beauty and maritime heritage. It’s rugged and a little wild and so are the seas around it.
That’s led to a lot of shipwrecks- about 150 at last count- and some very unusual things washing up on the islands beaches. The best place to learn more about this fascinating side of Terschelling history is the island Wreck Museum.
Here’s everything you need to know about visiting The Wreck Musuem, Terschelling.
Getting to Terschelling
The Wreck Museum, or Wrakkenmuseum, is located in the village of Formerum on the Dutch holiday island of Terschelling.
In order to reach the island, you’ll need to take the ferry from the mainland port of Harlingen. The fast ferry (foot passenger only) is the quickest option with crossings taking about 50 minutes.
You can find everything you need to know to plan a visit, including full details of ferry services, in this post about visiting Terschelling.
The Wreck Museum, Terschelling
Ship wreck salvage is in the DNA of The Wreck Museum, literally; this delightfully quirky museum is housed in an old farmhouse part-built with material salvaged from a wreck.
The Cyprian was a Norwegian ship wrecked off the coast of the island in 1905 and bits of it ended up becoming part of the house. It’s as if the house was always destined to hold parts of the past.
It’s now keeper of a vast and varied collection of recovered exhibits from shipwrecks and beach combing expeditions.
The museum was founded by owner and experienced wreck diver, Hille Van Dieren. He was one of the founding members of ‘ Dive Team Ecuador’, a Terschelling based wreck diving team.
The enthusiastic divers were often the first to search wreck dive sites and prided themselves on never returning empty handed. When the club house became full, the Terschelling Wreck Museum was born.
The museum grew in size and reputation and now describes itself as, ‘ a pleasantly crazy museum full of exciting stories’. Visitors can expect to find curiosities dating from the 1600’s to the present day, as well as gardens containing a castle and a pirate ship.
The Wreck Museum Terschelling: What to Expect.
Expect a bit everything and in no particular order.
The museum isn’t just about what is actually found on the wrecks, it’s also an insight into how divers do it. There’s quite the collection of historic diving gear, including some old diving helmets.
There’s a British connection here; the diving helmet was actually invented by the Deane brothers from Whitstable. Isn’t that the sort of random fact that is pub quiz gold?
The English brothers actually visited Terschelling to dive the wreck of the Lutine; a legendary ship that sailed with a cargo of gold bars.
The old diving suits and helmets may look like relics now, but there are heritage groups that still practice helmet diving.
Am I the only one that finds them slightly sinister?
The Terschelling Wreck museum contains anything and everything that has either been recovered from a local wreck or washed up on the island shores. Some exhibits are touching, some a downright bizarre but all are fascinating.
Most of the information around the museum is in Dutch, I’m not sure many British visitors make it out here. Many exhibits don’t need much explanation. If they do, Google Translate is your friend.
You will spot a few British connections though; there are a few exhibits carrying the name of British ports; North Shields, Hull, Harwich.
As well as numerous salvaged exhibits, the Terschelling Wreck Museum is also full of stories. Here’s just a small sample of the local lore you will discover during your visit:
- The one thing you need to find on the island beaches to be considered a true Terschelling beach comber, and why so many wash up here.
- The story of the 2006 ‘ Shoe-nami’, when Terschelling briefly became the footwear capital of The Netherlands.
- Learn about how erosion can uncover some interesting and sometimes dangerous things on the island, from barrels of whale fat to unexploded WW2 bombs.
No museum of maritime matters would be complete without a collection of notes in bottles, and the Wreck Museum is no exception. There are bottles of all shapes and sizes, containing writings ranging from a child’s drawing to neatly written lengthy notes.
I find them fascinating and always wonder about who sent them and if they ever got a reply?
When to Visit & Ticket Prices for The Wreck Museum
Visiting the Wreck Museum is an absolute bargain; tickets cost just €5 for adults and €3 for children.
The museum is open from 10.00 daily. If you’re aiming for a more relaxed visit, go early or late. The museum is a bit limited for space and can feel a little crowded in busy times.
There is a cafe on site selling light refreshments and the museum does have toilets available.
The Wreck Museum Terschelling operates seasonally; the museum closes from Christmas until Easter.
Interested in a few more more sea inspired posts? Great! Try these next:
Travemünde: The German Seaside Resort You Shouldn’t Miss
U995 Submarine & Laboe Memorial, Kiel
Orkney Islands: Exploring Stromness
Helen x
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