Museum der Deutschen Binnenschifffahrt

Current exhibitions

About the museum

The museum's roots go back to 1927, when an exhibition on Lower Rhine shipping was shown in Ruhrort. In 1966 an association was founded to save the paddle tug OSCAR HUBER; the first Ruhrort shipping museum opened on board this vessel in 1974. Following a city council resolution, it became an independent municipal museum, which opened its doors in 1979 in the former Ruhrort town hall on Dammstraße.

As the old building became too small, it closed in 1996. The new home was the former Ruhrort public baths: the Art Nouveau building had opened in 1910, been altered after World War II, and closed in 1986. After careful conversion of the listed building, the museum moved in in 1998; a restaurant was added in 2004. Today a cargo sailing ship from 1913 stands under full sail in the former men's swimming hall, and the women's hall holds a walk-in play ship for children.

Across three floors, the permanent exhibition tells the history of inland navigation from the dugout canoe to the push convoy – with models, original objects, and hands-on stations on shipbuilding, life on board, ports, and canals. The fleet on the Leinpfad near the Schifferbörse has gradually grown: the steam dredger MINDEN arrived in 1984, and in 2012/13 the crane ship FENDEL 147 and a harbor steam crane were restored.

Highlights

• Tjalk GOEDE VERWACHTING (1913) under full sail in the former men's swimming hall
• Walk-in children's play ship HERMANN
• Paddle tug OSCAR HUBER (1922) as a museum ship
• Bucket-chain steam dredger MINDEN (1882)
• Listed Art Nouveau swimming hall from 1910

Permanent exhibitions

• Dauerausstellung im Jugendstil-Hallenbad – Three floors on inland navigation from the Stone Age to the present: shipbuilding, life on board, passenger shipping, ports, canals, and locks – with models and hands-on stations.
• Museumsschiffe am Leinpfad – The paddle tug OSCAR HUBER and the steam dredger MINDEN can be visited during the season; also on site are the crane ship FENDEL 147 and a historic harbor steam crane.

Founded

1974

Operated by

Stadt Duisburg

Director

Dr. Dennis Niewerth

Admission & discounts

Free admission: Thursdays "Pay what you want" – you choose the admission price.

Free admission for, among others, Duisburg school classes and their teachers, members of the friends' association, members of the Museumsbund/ICOM/Verband Rheinischer Museen, and holders of the MuseumsPass, RuhrKulturCard, or Ruhr.Topcard. Group tours (10–25 people) Tue–Fri €40 (60 min.) / €60 (90 min.), Sat/Sun/public holidays €50 / €75; in foreign languages €60–95.

Accessibility

• 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

Accessible entrance beside the main entrance (doorbell), elevator to all levels. The museum ships are not accessible. Tours for seniors with an adapted route.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations
• Kids’ birthday parties

Family tour on the last Sunday of the month (11:00–13:00, no registration); children's tours with a water lab or craft activity; maritime children's birthday parties for ages 6 to 10 with a treasure hunt and activities on the children's ship “Hermann.” Many exhibits to touch.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

• Restaurant
• Museum shop
• Wi-Fi

Restaurant “Siamo Qui” in the museum building (Wed–Sat 12:00–22:00, Sun/public holidays 12:00–21:30, closed Mon/Tue); bookshop; free Wi-Fi; pets not allowed except assistance dogs.

Events & venue rental

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

Up to 45 guests.

Seminar room on the first floor for up to 45 people (30 with tables), event technology by arrangement; the gallery is currently not available for rent. Civil weddings on board the OSCAR HUBER or in the former swimming halls, registration via the Standesamt Duisburg-West (registry office).

Plan your visit