cultural history museum
in Aabenraa
global maritime history
Open today12pm - 4pm
The maritime history
of Southern
Jutland
Cultural History Museum in Aabenraa bears witness to proud merchant shipping traditions that once flourished in Aabenraa. In fact, sailing remains an important element of the town’s identity.
With a wide range of historic objects, the maritime museum tells the story of sailing, ships, and seafarers in the region. Among the highlights are exotic souvenirs brought back by the seafarers from their journeys to America, Australia, Africa, and Asia.
The museum also houses one of Denmark’s largest collection of ships’ portraits. A ship’s captain would often commission a portrait of his vessel to hang in his home. As a rule, the portraits show a specific ship in a given year and state the captain’s name. Take your time and look closely at the backgrounds of the portraits, you might recognise famous ports like Venice, Copenhagen, Hong Kong, and even Aabenraa itself.
Children under 18 have free admission to the museum.
Current exhibition
In the current temporary exhibition, you can explore the lives of the captains’ wives from Southern Jutland. Through well-preserved letters and diaries, you are taken on a sea voyage to Asia, Africa, South America, and Australia. Historical objects and immersive scenography provide a glimpse into the journeys these women undertook ‒ journeys filled with exotic experiences and encounters with unfamiliar cultures.
The exhibition offers a vivid insight into what life was like for women at sea. What were their thoughts as their children took their first steps on a swaying deck? And how did they cope with boredom and loneliness as the captain’s wife on a ship that was at sea for years?
Listen to the personal stories, catch a glimpse of life in the cabin, and try a board game where you step into the shoes of a captain’s wife and must endure the joys and challenges of life at sea. There is something for the whole family to enjoy.
PLAN YOUR VISIT
Here you will find all the practical information you need to plan your visit at Cultural History Museum Aabenraa. If you have any further questions, you are always welcome to write to us at aabenraa@msj.dk
Opening hours
April - October:
Thursday - Sunday 12pm - 4pm
November - March:
Closed
Tickets
Tickets can be purchased directly at the museum ticket desk or in advance at the online ticket shop
Adults: DKK 60
Children (under 18): free
Students: 20% discount
Club members: free
Groups of 10 or more: 20% discount per person
Holiday Pass
Discover the other museums of Museum Sønderjylland. With the Holiday Pass you have unlimited access to the ten museums of Museum Sønderjylland within fourteen days.
Holiday Pass: DKK 185
Parking
There are a limited number of parking spaces by the back entrance (access from Gasværksvej), but there is time-limited parking at the supermarkets in the area.
Accessibility
The museum is housed in a building from 1937, and the exhibitions are spread over several floors.
Unfortunately, there is no lift in the building and it is therefore difficult for guests with reduced mobility to move around in the house.
The staff, however, is always ready to offer assistance.
A ramp from the museum's disabled parking lot behind the museum provides access to the museum's temporary exhibitions gallery.
Infants
The museum is accessible with a pram.
There are baby changing facilities by the toilets.
Dogs
Dogs are not allowed inside the museum, but are welcome in the grounds if kept on a leash.
Please remember to pick up after your dog.
Guide and assistance dogs are welcome inside the museum.
Guided tours
During opening hours on weekdays: DKK 850 + entrance fee.
During opening hours at weekends: DKK 1350 + entrance fee.
Inquiries regarding booking of guided tours, please contact aabenraa@msj.dk.
Please notice that you have to book your guided tour 3 weeks before.
Childcare institutions and educational establishments can visit the museum on their own and free of charge (although prior booking is required).
