THE MUSEUM AREA The museum covers an area of
15.000 m2, with seven adjoining pavilions and a boat hall, which house the museum's indoor
collections. In another building you will find our library, a conference- and classroom,
and the management office. To the south you will see the submarine SPRINGEREN, the gas
turbine torpedo boat SØBJØRNEN and the sailing racer NORDEA. The remaining area is laid
out as lawns where various larger items are exhibited.
The Lightship No. XVIII’s lantern mast stands in the centre of the grounds, together
with various examples of buoys and light buoys used in Danish waters. Together with the
indoor collection and the lifeboat MRB 23, this exhibition illustrates the various tasks
of the Farvandsvæsenet (The Navigation and Hydrography Authority).
In the grounds you will find a collection of launchers for throwing depth charges, and
firing torpedoes as well as a collection of mine sweeping gear. There are also a number of
guns from various Danish naval ships. Some of these can be trained, and guests are welcome
to try.
On your way round you will see a sentry box from Holmen, the old naval base in Copenhagen,
together with a large collection of ship anchors and propellers. The ship's bell at the
flagpole comes from the USS PEGASUS (ex RITA MÆRSK), which after World War II was
refitted at Aalborg Shipyard.
Here is also an old mine, which in 1920 was rebuilt and placed in the centre of Aalborg,
to serve as a collection-box for a maritime charity.
The vine climbing the trellis has a curious story. Returning from the Danish West Indies
(now U.S. Virgin Islands), the Danish frigate JYLLAND called at the island of Madeira in
the 1870`s. During the stay some of the naval officers were presented with cuttings of the
famous vine. Back in Copenhagen, the vine was planted against southfacing walls on Holmen,
where it did well. In the early 1880´s, all the vines on Madeira were destroyed by vine
pest. New imported vines did not result in wines with the characteristics of the old
Madeira wine. Someone remembered the cuttings presented to the Danish officers and
inquiries were made through the Danish consulate. When it was |
 confirmed that the vines was
doing well at Holmen, experts from Madeira were sent to Copenhagen, where they were
allowed to take cuttings from the vine back to Madeira. The cuttings were grafted onto new
vines, and the traditional Madeira-wine was saved. Our vines are also cuttings from the
vines at Holmen.
If you feel tired after touring the museum, the grounds offer places for resting. There is
a playground for children with a maritime theme, among which is a “Viking ship”,
and they are welcome to play on the NORDEA or with the 2 anti aircraft guns. For toddlers
we have an ordinary playground. There are benches where you can enjoy the sun and the
view. You may also enjoy your picnic in our picnic area, part of which is under cover. You
can buy ice cream, soft drinks, coffee and tea at the museum shop. |
