Maritiem Muzeeum Zeeland

About the museum

The Maritiem Muzeeum Zeeland, muZEEum for short, tells the maritime history of the province of Zeeland. Since 2002 it has been based on the Nieuwendijk in Vlissingen, right on the Westerschelde. The complex includes the historic Lampsinshuis with its Pronkzaal (state room), two old warehouses (the Pakhuizen) and a small tower with a panoramic deck, which is reached via the historic staircase of the Lampsinshuis.

The collection revolves around themes in which Zeeland played a leading role: the naval hero Michiel de Ruyter, who rose from an ordinary boy from Vlissingen to admiral; the East India Company (VOC), with finds from the wreck of the Rooswijk; and Zeeland's role in the slave trade, vividly illustrated by a ship model of the "D'Elisabet Galy" of 1762. Since April 2019 the museum has been part of the Canon network of Dutch history, where it tells three "windows": de Ruyter, the VOC and slavery.

The muZEEum also includes outstations in the town: the Oranjemolen on the Oranjedijk with a free exhibition on the Battle of the Scheldt and the Biber, a German one-man submarine from the Second World War, as well as Fort Oostbeer, a Napoleonic defensive work from 1810 that can be visited again after restoration. The casemates from 1811 in the Keizersbolwerk are closed for the time being due to wall damage.

Highlights

• Interactive family exhibition "Ga mee naar zee" with a Kidsroute
• Biber: German one-man submarine from the Second World War
• Michiel de Ruyter, the VOC wreck Rooswijk and the Zeeland slave ship as Canon objects
• North Sea Port Experience and Schatzolder (open storage)
• Napoleonic Fort Oostbeer and panoramic deck with views over the Westerschelde

Permanent exhibitions

• Ga mee naar zee – Interactive family exhibition on seafaring, in which visitors can reflect, among other things, on the role of Michiel de Ruyter.
• North Sea Port Experience – Experience exhibition about the ports of Vlissingen, Terneuzen and Ghent.
• Schatzolder – Open storage with collection items in the attic of the building (not wheelchair accessible).

Founded

2001

Operated by

Stichting Maritiem Museum Zeeland

Director

Onno Bakker

Admission & discounts

Free for holders of the Museumkaart, Vereniging Rembrandt, ICOM, VIP cards of the VriendenLoterij and the Friends of the muZEEum. Payment is cashless only. Anyone arriving on the Westerschelde ferry from Breskens receives a 15% discount on tickets bought online with the code FERRYMUZEEUM.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description

The entire museum is accessible except the little tower, the panoramic deck and the open storage. Wheelchairs and folding chairs can be borrowed free of charge, and there is a lower counter at the ticket desk. Two disabled parking spaces are directly opposite. All videos are subtitled, texts are in high contrast; an audio tour for blind and visually impaired visitors can be played on your own phone via QR code. Tours for people with hearing or visual impairments are available on request. Assistance dogs in harness are welcome, other dogs are not.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations

In 2024, the only museum in Zeeland to be certified as a "Kidsproof Museum". Interactive games and videos, Kidsroute "Ga mee naar zee" with a monster book for every child, family tours and an audio tour that is also suitable for children.

Getting there & parking

The museum is opposite the Arsenaal. From Zeeuws-Vlaanderen, the Westerschelde ferry runs Breskens–Vlissingen (also for pedestrians and cyclists).

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Lockers

muZEEum café for coffee, tea and soft drinks. Large bags and backpacks may not be taken inside; free lockers are available.

Events & venue rental

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

The Pakhuizen (two historic warehouses), the Scheldezaal (conferences with a view) and the Pronkzaal can be hired; weddings are possible. All rooms have Wi-Fi and media technology.

Plan your visit