Båt- & Sjöfartsmuseet i Onsala

About the museum

Seafaring has played a major role in Onsala's history, and early on the population combined farming with coastal shipping. The decision to build a museum was taken in 1996 by Onsala hembygdsgille (local heritage guild), and in 1998 a non-profit association was formed for the task. The museum building is an old storehouse from Kungsäter in north-eastern Varberg, which was dismantled, numbered and re-erected in Onsala in 1998–1999. The museum was opened on 10 June 2000.

The upper floor houses the permanent exhibitions and an extensive maritime library with many old nautical charts. The ground floor has a boat hall with dinghies, fishing gear and engines, and a meeting room where the museum shows a new summer exhibition every year. The loft displays the tools of the carpenter and the sailmaker. Outside, a collection of boats stands under cover, including Långedrag dinghies and ekor (traditional rowing boats).

The permanent exhibitions deal with, among other things, Nidingen (the island), privateering under Lars Gathenhielm, sailing shipping and the Onsala Kofferdikapteners Förening (the Onsala coasting captains' association). In the entrance there is a cannon from Gathenhielm's ship Grefve Mörner.

Highlights

• Permanent exhibitions on Nidingen and privateering under Lars Gathenhielm
• Maritime library with old nautical charts
• Boat hall with dinghies, fishing gear and engines
• Carpenter's and sailmaker's tools in the loft
• Cannon from Gathenhielm's ship in the entrance

Permanent exhibitions

• Nidingen – Permanent exhibition on Nidingen.
• Kaperi och Gathenhielm – Permanent exhibition on privateering under Lars Gathenhielm and Tordenskiold's attack.
• Segelsjöfart och Onsalas Kofferdikapteners Förening – Exhibition on sailing shipping and the captains from Onsala.

Founded

2000

Operated by

Ideell förening (Båt- och Sjöfartsmuseet i Onsala)

Admission & discounts

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• 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

A lift is available to the upper floor with the permanent exhibitions. The meeting room is accessible and has an induction loop. The boat hall on the ground floor is not air-conditioned.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

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

Up to 70 guests.

Meeting room with kitchen and catering facilities for 70 people, equipped with AV equipment and an induction loop. Hire for one day SEK 2,400, for two days SEK 3,000 and for three days SEK 3,500; cleaning can be bought for SEK 1,100.

Plan your visit