Ancient Roman ships from Zwammerdam to get new home at Archeon's Roman Shipyard
After 55 years since their discovery, two of the historic Zwammerdam ships are set to move to a new, state-of-the-art facility at Archeon. This €20-25 million project will preserve these 2,000-year-old Roman vessels and offer visitors an immersive experience into the region's rich heritage.
| Key Data Point | Details |
|---|---|
| Ships Discovered | 3 cargo vessels, 3 canoes, 1 five-meter-long steering oar |
| Discovery Date | 55 years ago (1971) |
| Location of Discovery | Zwammerdam, South Holland |
| Historical Significance | Roman era, near former border fort Nigrum Pullum (UNESCO World Heritage) |
| Project Name | Roman Shipyard Archeon |
| Estimated Cost | €20–25 million |
| Funding Sources | Public and private contributions, EU programs, sponsors |
| Project Partners | Municipality of Alphen aan den Rijn, Archeon Museum Park Foundation, Province of South Holland, Museum Batavialand |
| Next Phase | Restoration of Zwammerdam 4, interactive exhibition |
| Completion Status | Restoration of second ship completed |
The province of South Holland, along with local municipalities and cultural institutions, plays a key role in preserving and promoting the region's archaeological heritage. This project highlights their commitment to making historical artifacts accessible to the public while boosting tourism and education.
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Zwammerdam ships on their way to the Roman Shipyard Archeon
Exactly 55 years ago, the historic Zwammerdam ships—consisting of three cargo vessels, three canoes, and a five-meter-long steering oar—were discovered and excavated in Zwammerdam, South Holland. The ships date back to the time when the Romans inhabited our province and were located near the former border fort Nigrum Pullum, part of the Lower Germanic Limes, which has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2021.
Now that the restoration of a second ship has been completed, the focus is increasingly shifting to the development of the Roman Shipyard Archeon, where the ships can find a permanent home in a modern and internationally appealing public facility.
Recruitment campaign
On March 23, a bid book for this new ship depot was presented to a representative of the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science (OCW) by the public-private partnership, consisting of the municipality of Alphen aan den Rijn, the Archeon Museum Park Foundation, and the province of South Holland, with support from Museum Batavialand (Lelystad). This marks the starting point for a broad recruitment campaign aimed at connecting partners and financiers to this museum of national and international significance.
Jack Veldman, director of Museumpark Archeon: “Thanks to the dedication of many volunteers, experts, and partners, an enormous amount of work has been accomplished. We are proud that we are now ready for the next phase: a public facility that brings the story of the Romans to life in an international way.”
Meindert Stolk, deputy for Heritage and Culture, province of South Holland: “The Zwammerdam ships are unique in the world. This next step makes it possible to preserve this icon of our Roman past for future generations. This project demonstrates how heritage contributes to knowledge, tourism, and pride for South Holland.”
Judith Bokhove, alderman for the municipality of Alphen aan den Rijn: “Alphen aan den Rijn is a true Limes city. The Roman Shipyard Archeon will serve as the educational hub where everything comes together. As an important flagship of the UNESCO World Heritage Lower Germanic Limes, it not only strengthens our cultural identity but also offers valuable educational opportunities and attracts visitors from home and abroad. At the Roman Shipyard, we gain a unique insight into how people lived, traded, and traveled along the Limes.”
Entrance to UNESCO World Heritage Site
The Roman Shipyard Archeon will become the new entrance to Museumpark Archeon and thus one of the official gateways to the Lower Germanic Limes. It will house an archaeological depot for the 2,000-year-old ship timber, featuring a publicly accessible shipyard where the next and largest ship, Zwammerdam 4, will be restored. An interactive exhibition will immerse visitors in the atmosphere of a Roman river harbor.
The ambitious project requires approximately €20–25 million for the realization of the Roman Shipyard Archeon. The investment will consist of a mix of public and private contributions from governments, funds, Museumpark Archeon, EU programs, and sponsors.
More information
- The Zwammerdam 1 in the restoration yard at Museumpark Archeon
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Presentation of the bid book for the Roman Shipyard Archeon to the Ministry of OCW L-R: Meindert Stolk (South Holland Province), Monique Veldman (Archeon), Judith Bokhove (Alphen aan den Rijn), and Marjorie Verhoek (RCE) Photographer: Hans Doderer