Underwater Museum Built Around Historic Shipwreck in Amsterdam

A 271-year-old shipwreck will become the centre of a new underwater museum in Amsterdam. While there are countless stories about shipwrecks and sunken treasures over the centuries; a firm of Dutch architects ZJA is bringing members of the public closer to the real thing than ever before.

The company just unveiled plans for an underwater museum in the Netherlands entitled Docking the Amsterdam; which they plan to build around a genuine 271-year-old sunken vessel.

Though the ship originally sank off the coast of Hastings in the U.K, ZJA plans to bring it (still submerged) to its new home for the project. Once in place, the ship will be held in a massive glass tank where visitors can inspect its 40m-long body from many different angles.

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“Visiting this venue is like entering a theater that stages the investigation in progress and engages the public with the discoveries the divers and researchers do inside the wreck,” the project’s description reads.

The cargo ship was originally part of the Dutch East India Company’s fleet; returning from its maiden voyage to India. Unfortunately, a storm damaged it so badly the captain intentionally beached it. Though the company was a pioneer in trade, it played a critical role in colonialism and the slave trade; which emerged as a result. The firm told Dezeen that, “reassessment and discussion” are essential in accurately relaying its history.

As far as the museum’s exterior, current plans call for a domed roof that will enclose the space with technical fabric. This allows more natural light to flood the interior; as well as creates enough room for an elevated walkway where visitors can view the ships’ remains from above.

The museum does not yet have an official opening date, but ZJA hopes it can begin welcoming guests in 2025.