Deichmuseum Land Wursten
Museum in Dorum on dike building and coastal protection between the Weser and Elbe, with a large collection of historic dike-building equipment and an outdoor area.
About the museum
The Deichmuseum Land Wursten is devoted to the centuries-long struggle of people on the Lower Saxony North Sea coast with storm surges and tides, with a particular focus on the Land Wursten between the mouths of the Weser and Elbe. It is housed in the south wing of the elementary school in Dorum and is run by the Zweckverband Landesstube Alten Landes Wursten.
The core of the collection consists of equipment and tools of dike building which, according to the museum, are unique in kind and extent. On about 500 square meters and two floors, the exhibition is divided into six thematic areas: the history of the Land Wursten, tides, settlement and drainage, the change in dike-building technology, coastal protection and storm surges, and dike maintenance and dike administration. Models of dikes and coastal protection structures as well as historic documents complement the original objects; in the nearby outdoor area stand, among other things, a dike-building locomotive with tipper wagons and a historic sluice gate.
In recent years the building was modernized with grant funding: since 2021, a web-based visitor guide via smartphone leads to selected exhibits, and a separate children's tour featuring the legendary figure of the Aalkönig (Eel King) was added. A platform lift installed in November 2021 makes the upper floor accessible as well.
Highlights
- Extensive collection of historic dike-building equipment
- Models of dikes and coastal protection structures
- Dike-building locomotive with tipper wagons and sluice gate in the outdoor area
- Smartphone guide at numerous exhibits
- Children's tour with the Aalkönig
Permanent exhibitions
- Deichbau und Küstenschutz an der Nordsee – Six thematic areas span the range from tides and settlement through the development of dike-building technology to storm surges and dike administration – with original equipment, models, and documents.
- Operated by
- Zweckverband Landesstube Alten Landes Wursten
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €3.50 |
|---|---|
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 18 · Children and teens up to age 18 free |
| Combination ticket with the Wattenfischereimuseum and the Kuriose Muschelmuseum in Wremen | €7 |
Free admission with the Ehrenamtskarte Niedersachsen/Bremen.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
Exhibition on two floors accessible; the upper floor is reached by a platform lift with a folding seat.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 18 |
|---|
- Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
Multimedia children's tour in which the Aalkönig tells, in a child-friendly way, about ebb and flow, storm surges, and dike maintenance. Children and teens up to age 18 have free admission.
Getting there & parking
The footpath to the museum leads past the schoolyard of the Grundschule Dorum.
Get directionsAmenities & 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.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | Guided tours year-round by phone registration (tel. 04742 87203 or 04742 1020). Web-based visitor guide via smartphone at numbered exhibits. |
