Västerviks museum

About the museum

Västerviks museum lies on Kulbacken, a hill with a view over the town. Tjustbygdens Kulturhistoriska Förening (Tjust District Cultural History Association) was formed in 1917 and began early on to collect objects and archive material from the district. The museum's main building was completed in 1933, in connection with Västervik celebrating 500 years as a town.

Since 1986 the museum has been run by a foundation whose founders are Västervik Municipality and Tjustbygdens Kulturhistoriska Förening. In 2006 the museum was extended by 400 square metres, and in connection with this naturum Västervik was opened, with the Baltic Sea as its theme. The Sjöfartshallen (Maritime Hall) tells of Västervik's extensive seafaring history, and the permanent exhibition on the Vasa kings' ships lets visitors explore the 16th-century maritime world with modern technology, including a VR dive.

On the grounds there is an open-air museum with several houses moved here from Tjust, including Vråstugan, the cowshed, Tjustökor, the smithy, Schmidtska gården and Hvalstad mill. There is also a collection of clinker-built boats, a building tradition that is on UNESCO's list. From Unos torn (Uno's Tower), Västervik's highest point, you can see over today's town. The museum shop sells books and objects.

Highlights

• The exhibition The Vasa Kings' Ships (Vasakungarnas skepp), with a VR dive
• The Maritime Hall (Sjöfartshallen)
• Open-air museum with a boat collection and relocated Tjust houses
• Uno's Tower (Unos torn) with a view over Västervik
• Naturum Västervik with the Baltic Sea as its theme

Permanent exhibitions

• Vasakungarnas skepp – A unique permanent exhibition in which visitors explore the 16th-century maritime world with modern technology.
• Sjöfartshallen – A journey through time across Västervik's extensive seafaring history.
• Friluftsmuseet och båtsamlingen – Older buildings from Tjust and a collection of clinker-built boats on Kulbacken.

Operated by

Stiftelsen Västerviks museum (Västerviks kommun och Tjustbygdens Kulturhistoriska Förening)

Admission & discounts

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: no information

Two accessible parking spaces are near the main entrance. The entrance is reached by steps or a ramp and has automatic doors. The exhibitions are on one level; all rooms are reached without thresholds, and an accessible toilet is at the entrance. Some exhibitions are dark to protect sensitive objects, and much information is text-based. There is no permanent hearing loop in the lecture hall or the cinema. An audio guide is under development. Reception staff can help, and visits before opening on weekdays can be booked. For adapted viewings, please phone the museum.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

Children and young people under 18 enter free of charge, and the museum has programmes for children, for example with Mulle Meck, as well as Mulle Mecks båtverkstad (Mulle Meck's boat workshop).

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Museum shop with books and objects.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit