The Marine Museum is located on the Oude Rijkswerf, also known as Willemsoord. The site belongs to the Royal Netherlands Navy, which still has some buildings in use. Sometimes it takes a bit of searching, but if you follow the map carefully, you will find your way with ease.

DISCOVER THE HISTORY OF THE NAVY

Via the main building – where you will find the box office and the cinema – you enter the Torentje. This building was put into use in 1827 as a warehouse for highly flammable materials. The clockwork of the Torentje was clearly visible all over the yard and served as a clock for the employees. Now the history of the Dutch navy is told in the six rooms of the Torentje.

MUSEUM SHIPS

Next to the main building you will find the Tonijn, the country’s only submarine open to the public. The museum ships Abraham Crijnssen and Scorpioen are located on the other side of the Medemblik building, which is in use by the Navy. Further on, on the central square, you will find the Bridge House of the Hr.Ms. De Ruyter.

EXPERIENCE MORE

You can also start your journey through the Navy Museum in the elongated building on the Westgracht: the Geschutmakerij. There is also a cash register here, next to the museum shop. In this building you will find exhibitions about the modern navy and the history of the shipyard. In the exhibition Battle of the Sea! experience the Journey to Chatham (1667) and the Battle of the Java Sea (1942).
Before this building was put into use as an artillery shop in 1915, it served as a warehouse for sawn wood products and oak planks, among other things.

THE SLOEPENLOODS

The dark green building next to the Tonijn is the sloop shed. It was built around 1833. The seven remaining wooden hoods belonged to an eighteen hooded canopy for 36 gaff gunboats. Normally this building, where the depot for large objects is located, is not accessible, but sometimes there are guided tours.