Museumschip Tordino
Museum ship at the lock of Plassendale in Oudenburg with a collection on the history of Belgian inland navigation and a nautical library.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
Museumschip Tordino is an inland cargo vessel with a rich collection on board on the history of inland navigation. The project is a private initiative of Frederic Logghe, who over the years saw many ships, maritime installations and traditions disappear. He documented and digitised much, and bought objects so that at least they would be preserved. The museum is run by the vzw Archief- en Documentatiecentrum Erfgoed Binnenvaart (archive and documentation centre for inland navigation heritage); the project operates entirely without subsidies.
The collection has been on permanent display aboard the Tordino since July 2018. Previously, part of it was on the smaller museum ship Aquarel, which Logghe had converted into an exhibition ship in 2013. At the end of 2016 he replaced it with the larger ship Tordino, a Frisian maatkast (a type of cargo barge). On board you will also find an extensive collection of books and magazines, through which the museum also aims to become a reference centre.
The Tordino is a cargo ship 46 m long and 6.3 m wide, built in 1922 by Van Aken & Blokland in Hardinxveld for the Vereenigde Brandstoffenhandel of Rotterdam, and originally named Charlotte. It is one of the few motorised Frisian sleepkasten still sailing and is registered as floating heritage: since March 2019 in the Netherlands and since October 2020 also in Belgium. The ship lies at the historic lock of Plassendale on the Ghent–Ostend canal.
Highlights
- Collection on the history of Belgian inland navigation on board
- Floating heritage: a Frisian sleepkast barge from 1922
- Nautical library with books and magazines
- At the historic lock of Plassendale, alongside the cycle path
- Guided and self-guided visits; groups by appointment
Permanent exhibition
- Collectie binnenvaart aan boord – Permanent collection on the history of Belgian inland navigation, with objects on board, the wheelhouse, a digital collection and a nautical library.
- Founded
- 2018
- Operated by
- vzw Archief- en Documentatiecentrum Erfgoed Binnenvaart
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €5 |
|---|---|
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 5 · Children under 6 are admitted free. |
| Groups (10+ people) | €4 per personGroups of 10 or more pay €4 per person. |
The museum ship is not subsidised; all costs are borne from its own resources, which is why it asks for a low, accessible admission price.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
| Time needed | approx. 45 min |
|---|---|
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 5 |
Getting there & parking
By car
Parking available
There is enough parking on the cobblestones of the Plassendale site; do not park along the towpath.
The ship lies at the historic lock of Plassendale on the left bank of the Ghent–Ostend canal, alongside a cycle path between Ostend and Ghent. Via the A10, take the Oudenburg exit and drive straight on to Plassendale. Visitors arriving by boat can moor alongside during their visit; further along there are moorings where you can stay for up to 12 hours.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Good to know | A visit takes half an hour to an hour. Up to 15 visitors at a time are admitted; groups must book. For an appointment outside opening hours, contact Frederic Logghe. |
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