Assens Toldkammer

About the museum

The customs house at the harbor of Assens was designed by the royal court architect Jørgen Hansen Koch; it was built in 1834, just outside the western town gate and near the old ship bridge, today's Midtermolen. Customs duties had been collected in the town since 1475, but only this building still makes visible today the role of Assens as an important customs port and maritime trading town between Denmark and Germany.

Until 1969 the building served as a customs office, in 1972 the Assens seamen's association took it over, and since 2000 it has belonged to Museum Vestfyn. It has been a listed building since 1978. Floodwater from the Lillebælt has repeatedly entered: after the flood of 1867 the floor in the eastern warehouse was raised, a mark on the west facade shows the record level of 1872, and in 2023 water also stood in the building.

Today Museum Vestfyn uses the building as a venue for exhibitions, lectures, and activities for children and families; on the upper floor part of the administration is based. In the warehouse, the photo exhibition "Assens Fremkaldt" shows large-format pictures by the physician and amateur photographer Otto Joachim Fiedler (1849–1936), who captured the streets, buildings, people, and landscapes of the town at a time of upheaval.

Highlights

• Listed customs house of 1834 designed by J. H. Koch
• Photo exhibition "Assens Fremkaldt" with pictures by Otto Joachim Fiedler
• Flood mark of 1872 on the west facade
• Location at the historic harbor of Assens
• Activities for children and families on event days

Permanent exhibitions

• Assens Fremkaldt – Large-format prints of historical photographs by the physician Otto Joachim Fiedler show Assens and its surroundings in transition around 1900.

Operated by

Museum Vestfyn

Director

Johan Møhlenfeldt Jensen

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations

On event days there are historical games indoors and outdoors, such as stilt walking, rope making at the rope walk, felting, and portraits in the photo studio.

Getting there & parking

The customs house stands at the harbor of Assens (Nordre Havnevej) near the Midtermolen.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.