Aeronauticum

Current exhibitions

About the museum

The museum's collection was started in 1967 by young naval aviators in Nordholz who, with the support of a Hamburg veterans' association of former airship crews, gathered memorabilia of naval airship operations. A friends' association was formed in 1987, and a first small museum opened on October 17, 1991. The project was supported by Marinefliegergeschwader 3 "Graf Zeppelin" (Naval Air Wing 3), which is stationed at the neighboring air base.

The location is closely tied to aviation history: from 1912, a large airship base of the Imperial German Navy was built in Nordholz with room for ten rigid airships, including a rotating double hangar about 200 meters long. After World War I, the Luftwaffe and later the Bundeswehr (German armed forces) continued to use the site.

A hangar relocated from Bremerhaven was re-erected between 1994 and 1997 and opened in May 1997, and an extension was added in 2006. Today the museum is run by the Stiftung Deutsches Luftschiff- und Marinefliegermuseum (German Airship and Naval Aviation Museum Foundation), based on an agreement between the Federal Ministry of Defense, the state of Lower Saxony, the district of Cuxhaven, and the municipality of Wurster Nordseeküste. The museum hall tells the story of airships and of maritime and naval aviation; on around 36,000 square meters of outdoor grounds stand naval aviation aircraft and helicopters from 1956 onward, most recently joined by a P-3C Orion and a Sea King rescue helicopter. The museum also houses naval aviation training collections and the University of Oldenburg's Schütte-Lanz archive.

Highlights

• History of naval airships and the Nordholz airship base
• 18 large exhibits on around 36,000 m² of outdoor grounds, including the Breguet Atlantic, Tornado, P-3C Orion, and Sea King
• Breguet Atlantic procedures trainer (open to visitors Tuesdays 11:30–14:30)
• "Open Plane": a different large exhibit to explore inside every day
• Civil weddings in a VFW 614 aircraft and overnight stays in the "Cube"

Permanent exhibitions

• Fliegen leichter als Luft – The history of airships, from the Nordholz naval airship base in World War I and the Schütte-Lanz rigid airships to civilian use.
• Fliegen schwerer als Luft – Interactive exhibition on the development of maritime and naval aviation since 1913, opened in 2021.
• Großexponate im Außengelände – Naval aviation aircraft and helicopters from 1956 onward on around 36,000 m², including the Breguet Atlantic, P-3C Orion, and Sea King.

Founded

1991

Operated by

Stiftung Deutsches Luftschiff- und Marinefliegermuseum

Director

Hans-Peter Weber (kaufmännische Leitung)

Admission & discounts

Free admission for members of the friends' association, Bundeswehr personnel with service ID, and holders of the Ehrenamtskarte Niedersachsen/Bremen (volunteer card). Parking: first hour free, then €2 per hour. Card payment accepted, gift vouchers available.

Accessibility

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

Certified under "Reisen für Alle" (Travel for All) for people with walking impairments and partially for wheelchair users; elevator, accessible restroom, and designated parking spaces. Content in Easy Language (Leichte Sprache) on the website and in the app. Dogs are not allowed.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Playground / play area
• Kids’ birthday parties

Free museum app with a children's tour; play corner in the building and a children's playground; children's birthdays (up to three hours) with a tour, quiz, treasure hunt or paper airplane making.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

Museum café (generally closed November 1 to February 28); museum shop.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events
• Weddings / ceremonies

Up to 30 guests.

"Graf Zeppelin" seminar and conference room (96 m², up to 30 people, terrace, AV equipment); civil weddings in the VFW 614 aircraft (up to 20 people) through the Wurster Nordseeküste registry office; overnight stays in the "Cube" on the outdoor grounds.

Plan your visit