Strandingsmuseum St. George

The St. George Stranding Museum tells the story of the dramatic shipwrecks off the coast of West Jutland and in the North Sea. The Museum has many thousands effects from the shipwrecks of the English warships HMS St. George and HMS Defence, who both stranded in Thorsminde on Christmas Eve in 1811. Almost 1400 mariners died in these two shipwrecks. 

All the exciting effects from the shipwrecks such as canons, guns and small arms, gold coins, musical instruments, wine bottles – gives a great impression of life aboard the ships in 1811.
Learn about all the stranding stories, and learn about how these events affected the coastal population in Thorsminde.

The stories are communicated through scenography, sound, light and film, the design of the museum is also based on the ship HMS St. George. Therefore, the museum, just like the ship, is 59 meters long and contains three floors, just as the ship had three decks. Through the three floors of the museum the 5.4 tons heavy rudder is the central focal point, which with its scent of tar and sea helps to drag the sea and the experiences under the water into the basement, where the light is blue, and you see wrecks.

Severe storms, mist and sea fog, unpredictable ocean currents, changeable depths and no islands to offer shelter have led to thousands of shipwrecks along the West Coast. On the Museum, you can embark on a journey in a world full of dramas, tragedies, love and heroism.

Children have free admission to the Museum, which also houses an outdoor maritime playground.

Strandingsmuseum St. In 2019, George received the European Museum Award "The Silletto Prize" for his strong local anchoring and dissemination in a captivating way.

Accessibility

You can borrow a wheelchair, elevator (excluding the observation tower), wide corridors, solid flooring, toilets, and elevator. The St. George Stranding Museum is an accessible museum where everyone – including wheelchair users and people with mobility impairments – can experience the story of dramatic shipwrecks and life by the sea. The museum is spread across several floors, and an elevator makes it easy to move around. Additionally, we focus on comfort and accessibility: a disabled toilet with easy access, benches and seating in the exhibitions, allowing for breaks, and a lounge area where you can relax before, during, or after your museum visit. You can also borrow a wheelchair if you have difficulty walking, but please note that all units may be in use, so feel free to contact us in advance of your visit.

Several of the museum's exhibitions use dramatic effects such as sound and lighting to enhance the storytelling about life by and on the sea. We aim to create a great experience for all our visitors. If you have any questions or special needs, you are always welcome to contact us.