Fregatten Jylland

About the museum

The frigate Jylland was built from 1856 at the Holmen naval shipyard in København and launched in 1860. At about 71 m long, she is considered the longest surviving wooden warship in the world. On May 9, 1864, during the Second Schleswig War, she fought in the Battle of Heligoland, the last naval battle of the Danish fleet, with a crew of more than 400 against an Austro-Prussian squadron.

In the following decades the ship served as a station ship overseas and as a royal ship: in 1874 she carried Christian IX to Iceland for the millennial celebration. Decommissioned in 1887, she was sold for scrapping in 1908 and bought back at the last moment by a committee. From 1936 to 1949, schoolchildren from the provinces spent the night aboard on trips to København.

Since 1960 the Jylland has been berthed in Ebeltoft. In 1979 the navy transferred the ship to an independent foundation, and from 1989 the A.P. Møller Fonden financed a comprehensive restoration in the specially built dry dock. Today the museum shows life aboard a 19th-century warship, from the gun decks to the royal salon. Shipwrights, a blacksmith and riggers work constantly on its preservation; visitors can look into their shipyard hall. In autumn 2024 the main mast was taken down.

Highlights

• Walk-through 1860 wooden frigate in a dry dock
• Cannon show on deck with a cannon being fired
• Royal salon from the ship's time as a royal vessel
• Audio guides "Fregatten fortæller" and "Rejsen" with accounts from the sailors
• Mast climbing and sailing trips with Robarkasse No. 1 in summer
• Shipyard hall with living shipbuilding crafts

Permanent exhibitions

• Fregatten i kamp – Exhibition in the officers' mess about the 1864 Battle of Heligoland from the crew's perspective, with listening stations based on letters and memoirs and a film about war surgery.
• Fregattens ild – Shows the role of fire aboard a wooden ship, between galley, guns and fire hazard, with a film about the frigate's armament.

Operated by

Den Selvejende Institution Fregatten Jylland

Director

Anne-Marie Dohm

Admission & discounts

Free admission: Children free during the winter holidays; children and young people under 18 free from October 10 to 17, 2026.

Higher prices from May 1 to September 30. With your admission ticket you get 15% off within seven days at Ree Park Safari, Kattegatcentret, Skandinavisk Dyrepark and Glas – Museet for glaskunst. Mast climbing and sailing trips cost extra and can be booked online or at the ticket desk. Dogs get in free.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

An elevator on the ship serves all decks except the poop deck and the dry dock. Ropes, anchor chains and the like can make moving around on board difficult. Ledsagerkort (companion card) accepted.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations
• Playground / play area

At stations on board, children can try out life as a sailor, for example lying in a hammock or turning the capstan, solving the mystery of cabin boy Karl's pocketknife on a treasure hunt with a map, twisting a rope in the ropewalk and hammering and drilling on a craft route. There is a maritime playground on the square by the ship. Children's theater takes place during the autumn holidays.

Getting there & parking

The museum is at the harbor of Ebeltoft (S.A. Jensens Vej 4) with a view of Ebeltoft Vig, about a 15-minute drive from Aarhus Airport. For bus connections to Ebeltoft, the museum refers to Rejseplanen.

Amenities & dining

• Café: not available
• Restaurant
• Museum shop

Water and ice cream at the ticket desk. The restaurant Brasserie 1864 is next to the ship. Museum shop with maritime design goods, spirits, toys and children's books. Food you bring yourself can be eaten on the battery deck between the cannons or at outdoor picnic areas. Dogs are welcome on board.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events

Up to 120 guests.

Conference room with AV equipment for 120 people in rows or 70 at tables; can be combined with tours, a sailing trip, mast climbing and meals on board or in the restaurant. Group and party packages with catering Monday to Thursday.

Plan your visit