Museumshafen Oevelgönne
Freely accessible harbor for historic working vessels at the Neumühlen pier – from a lightship to a steam tug, all still seaworthy.
About the museum
A circle of traditional sailing ship enthusiasts who had been meeting since 1973 as the “Freunde des Gaffelriggs” (Friends of the Gaff Rig) founded the Museumshafen Oevelgönne association in 1976; its founders included the architect Volkwin Marg. In 1977 the harbor opened behind the Neumühlen ferry pier with a handful of privately owned sailing vessels, making it Germany's oldest museum harbor.
The association soon acquired its own ships: the steam tug TIGER in 1978, the lightship ELBE 3 in 1979, the Finkenwerder deep-sea fishing cutter PRÄSIDENT FREIHERR VON MALTZAHN in 1983, and the steam tug CLAUS D. in 1984. Restoration work is still carried out today by working groups of volunteer members. In addition to the association's own vessels, the harbor is home to ships belonging to private owners and other associations, such as Ewer sailing barges, cutters, a floating crane, and historic government boats.
The guiding principle is not only to preserve the ships but to keep them sailing: they take guests on trips on the Elbe, the North Sea, and the Baltic, and open their decks on open-ship days. In November 2024, “Der Lieger,” a floating visitor and information center, opened in the middle of the harbor basin.
Highlights
- Lightship ELBE 3 from 1888
- Steam tug TIGER from 1910, back under steam since 1979
- Deep-sea fishing cutter PRÄSIDENT FREIHERR VON MALTZAHN
- Floating crane KARL FRIEDRICH STEEN
- Floating visitor center “Der Lieger” (since 2024)
- Free audio guide with 19 stops
Permanent exhibitions
- Historische Schiffsflotte im Museumshafen – Sailing ships, steam tugs, motor vessels, a lightship, and a floating crane from about 1880 to 1960 lie ready for service at the Neumühlen pontoon; signs and an audio guide explain the individual vessels.
- Founded
- 1976
- Operated by
- Museumshafen Oevelgönne e.V.
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
| Groups (10+ people) | –Group tours for 10 or more people by arrangement (March–September) |
|---|---|
| Public guided tour by the Hafenlotsen (harbor guides) (75 min.) | €4Contribution toward costs; April–September on the first Saturday of the month, 14:00; free with the Engagement-Karte (volunteer card) |
Visiting the harbor is free. Trips on the historic ships are charged (prices vary by trip).
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.
Kids & families
| Time needed | approx. 45 min |
|---|
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Neumühlen/Oevelgönne
HADAG ferry line 62 to the Neumühlen/Oevelgönne pier
By car
Paid parking
A few paid parking spaces right at the museum harbor; the association recommends arriving by ferry 62 or bus 30.
Amenities & dining
- Museum shop: not available
Museum shop online only (via an external provider).
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
- Private parties
- Corporate events
Up to 75 guests.
Historic waiting hut “Döns” at the Neumühlen pontoon for up to 40 people; floating visitor center “Der Lieger” for up to 75 people (www.derlieger.de).
Inquiries & detailsPlan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Audio guide | yes |
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Free audio guide (19 stops, approx. 45 min.) via the Hearonymus app. Open guided tours by the Hafenlotsen April–September on the first Saturday of the month at 14:00, no registration required; meeting point at the lighthouse by the bridge to the pier. Tours for groups and school classes by arrangement, also in Low German (Plattdeutsch) or English. Trips and open-ship days listed in the events calendar. |
