Rendsburger Schifffahrtsarchiv

About the museum

The Rendsburger Schifffahrtsarchiv goes back to the Rendsburg shipowner Dr. Jens-Peter Schlüter, son of the shipowner and captain Karl Schlüter. In 2005 he bought the badly dilapidated house at Königstraße 5 in the Neuwerk district, had it renovated in coordination with the monument preservation authority, and placed his own collection on the town's shipping history in a foundation. On October 24, 2007, the house opened as an archive and museum.

The half-timbered building dates from 1697 and was built for a surgeon whose family lived in it for more than a century. Later the rooms served, among other things, as an inn, a colonial goods shop, a confectioner's with café, a fish shop and a fur store before the foundation took them over.

Thematically the exhibition ties in with Rendsburg's location on an island in the Eider: the river was early on an important transport route, numerous small shipyards arose along its banks, and with the Eider Canal, opened in 1784, Rendsburg merchants entered overseas trade. The focus is on developments since the 1940s.

On around 550 square meters and three floors, called "decks" in the house, visitors follow the beginnings of the Rendsburg shipping companies, the history of the Karl Schlüter shipping company with models of modern container ships and, in the attic, a recreated shipyard with historic tools from Nübbel. Models of today's naval vessels, merchant ships and yachts from Rendsburg shipyards can also be seen. The house is run by the Jens-Peter Schlüter-Stiftung.

Highlights

• Over 120 ship models from coastal motor vessels to container ships
• Recreated old shipyard with original tools of shipwrights from Nübbel
• Floor on the history of the Rendsburg shipping company Karl Schlüter
• Renovated half-timbered house of 1697 in Rendsburg's Neuwerk district
• Virtual 360-degree tour on the website

Permanent exhibitions

• Rendsburger Schifffahrtsgeschichte – Three floors on Rendsburg shipping companies and shipyards: from the beginnings through the Karl Schlüter shipping company to modern container and naval ships, with a recreated shipyard in the attic.

Founded

2007

Operated by

Jens-Peter Schlüter-Stiftung

Director

Peter Carstensen

Admission & discounts

Free admission: Rendsburger Museumsnacht on October 17, 2026 (18:00–22:00) with free admission.

On your visit you receive a voucher for 50% off regular admission to the museums in the Kulturzentrum Rendsburg; the same applies in reverse.

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

An elevator serves all three exhibition floors.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events

Up to 30 guests.

Conference room on the second floor for conferences and family celebrations of up to 30 people, with a tour on request; inquiries to Peter Carstensen (tel. 0176 54387300).

Plan your visit