The Batavia, the world’s largest reconstruction of a 17th-century ship, has been moved ashore at Museum Batavialand after 31 years in the water. The 56.6-metre, approximately 650-tonne wooden vessel was transported 250 metres from a pontoon using a computer-controlled heavy transport system, allowing long-term conservation work to begin.
The move marks the conclusion of an exceptional operation involving maritime transport, dry-docking and heavy engineering. Before being brought ashore, the Batavia travelled to Amsterdam, where the ship was carefully placed in a specially designed steel support structure. It then returned to Lelystad by pontoon before being driven to its new permanent location beside Museum Batavialand.
Moving the Batavia onto land is essential for its long-term preservation. After decades in the water, the wooden ship requires extensive maintenance. On land, it can dry, be better protected from rain and other weather conditions, and undergo more targeted conservation work.
At its new location, the ship now stands more than eight metres higher than when it was in the water. Museum Batavialand expects visitors to be able to board the Batavia again in early 2027. Until then, visitors can see the ship and follow the conservation work from close range.
About the Batavia
The Batavia at Museum Batavialand is a full-scale reconstruction of a 17th-century Dutch ocean-going ship built in 1628. The reconstruction itself was built in Lelystad between 1985 and 1995 under the direction of master shipbuilder Willem Vos, combining historical research, traditional craftsmanship and experimental archaeology. More than 600 young people contributed to its construction as part of their vocational training.
Since construction began in 1985, around five million people have visited the Batavia. The ship has also appeared in films, television programmes and documentaries, making it one of the best-known historical ship reconstructions in the Netherlands.
The move ashore is the first visible step in the major redevelopment of Museum Batavialand. The renewed museum, bringing together the ship, shipyard and exhibitions in one location, is expected to open at the end of 2028.
