Ahoy there mateys Welcome to the Flensburger Schifffahrtsmuseum. This isn’t just any museum. It’s a portal to Flensburg’s rich maritime past. Built in 1842 the former customs warehouse now houses the museum. It opened in 1984 as part of Flensburg’s 700th anniversary celebrations.
Imagine the bustling port of Flensburg in the 17th century. Ships laden with goods from far-off lands. The scent of spices and rum filling the air. The Flensburger Schifffahrtsmuseum brings this scene to life. Here you’ll discover the story of Flensburg’s seafaring tradition. You’ll see historical ship portraits and models. Nautical instruments tell tales of navigation and exploration.
The museum’s collection spans centuries of Flensburg’s maritime history. You’ll find artifacts from Greenland voyages. Imagine the intrepid explorers sailing from this very port in the 18th and 19th centuries. Discover the vibrant folk art of North Frisian sailors. Admire the beautiful tiles that once graced their homes.
Explore the lower level. There’s a large scale model of Flensburg in its 17th-century prime. The ‘Treasure of the Shippers’ Guild’ showcases medieval port management relics. See scenes depicting the 18th century’s busy harbour. Marvel at reminders of Flensburg’s shipbuilding prowess.
Upstairs the museum delves into the evolution of sailing ships. Learn about Flensburg’s shipyards and its powerful trading companies. Discover the West Indies trade with sugar rum coffee and dyewoods. See how Flensburg’s shipping lines rose to prominence.
A special section is dedicated to rum. Located in the former customs warehouse cellar. The Rum Museum opened in 1993. It details the history of rum imports and blending in Flensburg’s booming rum trade. An 18-minute film produced in 2014 illustrates rum’s significance to the city. It features locations such as Flensburg’s harbour and the open-air museum Molfsee.
The Flensburger Schifffahrtsmuseum isn’t just about celebrating the past. In 2017 it tackled a difficult subject with the exhibition ‘Rum Sweat and Tears’. It exposed the slavery and exploitation practiced by Flensburg entrepreneurs in the German-Danish colonies particularly the Virgin Islands.
The museum is the starting point for the ‘Rum & Sugar Mile’ also known as the ‘Sugar Mile’. Twenty signs along the route highlight places significant to Flensburg’s past rum trade. The museum itself is one of these locations. The Captain’s Way is another route beginning here. It retraces the typical journey of a 17th-century captain. It leads around the harbor and through the city center.
So step aboard your journey through maritime history. Explore the Flensburger Schifffahrtsmuseum. Discover the captivating story of Flensburg’s seafaring legacy. A tale of trade exploration and a confronting look at its colonial past. You won’t forget this unique museum experience.