Aalfischerei-Museum „Fiat Voluntas“

About the museum

Catching and smoking eels was long an important line of business in Monheim am Rhein. Fishing was done with Aalschokker, special fishing vessels that lay on the Rhine at night from May to November, when the eels migrated downstream towards the sea. As pollution of the river increased, fish stocks collapsed in the 20th century and professional fishing came to an end; smokehouses still existed in Monheim until the 1990s.

While researching the history of eel fishing, the town came across the Aalschokker "Fiat Voluntas", built in 1937, in the Neuss sports harbour and bought it in 2016. The listed ship was restored at a shipyard near Berlin and returned in February 2018. Since then it has stood on blocks on Klappertorstraße in Baumberg, where eels were once smoked.

The museum is part of the "Monchronik", Monheim's decentralised city museum. On deck and below deck, interactive stations convey the everyday life of fishing families; it also tells how the ship ended up on an album cover by Die Toten Hosen in 1984.

Highlights

• Historic eel boat from 1937
• Walk-on deck and ship's interior
• Talking cooking pot and interactive audio stations
• History of Rhine fishing in Monheim

Permanent exhibition

• Aalfischerei-Museum im Aalschokker – Interactive exhibition on and below deck about eel fishing, Rhine fishing and the life of fishing families.

Founded

2018

Operated by

Stadt Monheim am Rhein

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Free admission.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking
• 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

The grounds around the ship and many information boards are accessible by wheelchair; a steep ramp leads to the deck and a narrow staircase into the ship's interior. Two interactive stations with an audio track, also for people with visual impairments. Two disabled parking spaces at the museum (currently closed).

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Hands-on stations

According to the town, very well suited to children: interactive elements inside and outside as well as a talking pot that tells of life and cooking on board.

Getting there & parking

The ship stands directly on the Rhine on Klappertorstraße in Monheim-Baumberg.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.