600-year-old IJsselkogge ship restored in Zwartewaterland for historic museum return
A medieval trading ship, the IJsselkogge, is being meticulously restored in Zwartsluis before its return to Kampen’s museum in 2028. This 600-year-old archaeological treasure, discovered in 2011, will soon be displayed for the public, showcasing Dutch maritime heritage.
| Key Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Ship Name | IJsselkogge |
| Age | 600 years old |
| Discovery Year | 2011 |
| Discovery Location | IJssel River near Kampen |
| Current Location | HEBO Maritiemservice, Zwartsluis |
| Restoration Start | January 2026 |
| Expected Display Year | 2028 |
| Museum Location | Koggewerf (Cog Yard), Kampen |
| Dimensions | 20m long, 8m wide, 50 tonnes |
| Municipalities Involved | Zwartewaterland, Kampen |
The municipalities of Zwartewaterland and Kampen are collaborating to preserve and display the IJsselkogge, a significant piece of Dutch maritime history. Their role involves overseeing the restoration process and ensuring the ship’s eventual public exhibition aligns with cultural heritage goals. This project also highlights regional cooperation among Hanseatic cities.
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IJsselkogge undergoing restoration: Municipal councils of Zwartewaterland and Kampen visit HEBO
The municipal executive of Zwartewaterland today paid a working visit to HEBO Maritiemservice in Zwartsluis, together with the municipal executive of the municipality of Kampen. The purpose of the visit was to inspect the ongoing restoration of the 600-year-old IJsselkogge, one of the Netherlands’ most remarkable archaeological ship finds.
The medieval cog arrived in Zwartsluis at the end of January, following an impressive relocation from Lelystad. The ship was conserved in Batavialand over the past few years and is now being restored at HEBO, where a custom-built exhibition frame is also being constructed. This sturdy, tailor-made frame will ensure that the cog can be safely, stably, and clearly displayed once the restoration is complete.
Craftsmanship in Zwartsluis
At HEBO, skilled craftsmen are working on the restoration of the 15th-century trading vessel. This is delicate work, as the IJsselkogge is large and fragile: twenty metres long, eight metres wide, and weighing around fifty tonnes. Mayor Judith Compagner was impressed by the craftsmanship she witnessed: “It’s remarkable to see up close how this centuries-old ship is being treated with such care and how the frame is being expertly constructed. The IJsselkogge is a heritage asset of international significance. We are incredibly proud that this work is being carried out in Zwartewaterland and will soon be on public display.”
Return to Kampen, return to history
The IJsselkogge was discovered in the IJssel River near Kampen in 2011. It is one of the best-preserved medieval cogs ever found. In 2016, the ship was lifted from the water in one piece. After years of conservation in Lelystad, the restoration work in Zwartsluis is now underway. Once completed, the IJsselkogge will be moved to the Koggewerf (Cog Yard) in Kampen, where it will have a permanent place in the museum. The location is just a short distance from where the cog was found in the IJssel in 2011. The ship is expected to go on display in the Kampen museum in 2028.
A modern form of Hanseatic cooperation
The collaboration surrounding the IJsselkogge aligns well with the plans of the Hanseatic cities. In the coming years, they will work even more closely together in preparation for the International Hanse Days in Zwolle (2030) and Harderwijk (2031). The cities recently presented a new multi-year programme to strengthen the Hanseatic narrative. They are also exploring the possibility of establishing a National Hanseatic Museum, with different cities contributing to the story. This project involving the IJsselkogge demonstrates how Hanseatic cooperation works in practice.