Muzeeaquarium Delfzijl

About the museum

The MuzeeAquarium arose from two older museums. The older was the Trade Museum for national and overseas products, founded in 1929, which focused on shipping and on the plants and animals of the Dutch East Indies. In 1960 a marine aquarium and a shell museum opened in an old Atlantic Wall bunker on the Zeebadweg; a few years later the Trade Museum moved there too.

In September 2016 the museum was temporarily closed because the dyke reinforcement on the Ems shore required the old building. The neighbouring former swimming pool was converted into a new museum building, which also incorporates the surviving bunker with the aquarium. On 1 June 2018 the museum reopened after an extensive redesign; the shell and stone collection was streamlined and the remaining objects were presented anew.

The collection combines the natural and cultural history of the region between the Ems, the Dollart and the Wadden Sea. It ranges from rocks, minerals and fossils through archaeological finds and the northernmost dolmen in the Netherlands to topics such as the terp era, vanished medieval villages, the fortress town of Delfzijl, the Second World War, reconstruction and industry. There is also a large shell collection, a shipping hall and the aquarium with fish from the Wadden Sea and the North Sea. The museum shares its management with the Museum Stad Appingedam.

Highlights

• Marine aquarium with fish from the Wadden Sea and the North Sea in a Second World War bunker
• Northernmost dolmen in the Netherlands
• Large shell collection with a 200 kg giant clam
• Wagenborgzaal with 24 ship models and touchscreens
• Scale model of the former fortress town of Delfzijl

Permanent exhibitions

• Seeaquarium und Natuurhistorie – In the Second World War bunker live fish and sea creatures from the Wadden Sea and the North Sea; the natural history section shows rocks, fossils and the shell collection.
• Archeologie en hunebed G5 – The dolmen excavated near Delfzijl in 1982 is the northernmost in the Netherlands, accompanied by finds from the Stone Age to the late Middle Ages.
• Scheepvaart in de Wagenborgzaal – A large display case with 24 ship models and touchscreens tells of navigation, pilotage, the navigation school, shipbuilding and sailmaking.

Admission & discounts

The Dutch Museumkaart is valid at the museum.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• 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

All visitor areas are accessible at ground level or via ramps; a loan wheelchair is available. For large electric wheelchairs, an enquiry in advance is recommended because of the narrow passages in the aquarium. Not accessible for outdoor scooters; small indoor scooters are possible. Dogs are not allowed, except official assistance dogs.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

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

The displays are child-friendly; there is a children's corner for playing, drawing and crafts, and during the holidays additional activities such as rallies, games and an interactive experience table with a touchscreen.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Corporate events

A meeting room for assemblies and gatherings can be rented; details on request.

Plan your visit