In full regalia to Amsterdam
The masts remain on the ship, ensuring that the characteristic silhouette of the 30.5-meter-high Batavia is preserved during the relocation. Over the past few months, the ship has been well prepared for this voyage. The cannons and a large part of the ballast have been removed. Temporary steel braces in the hold and on the decks absorb the forces generated when the Batavia is placed on its cradle in the dock and the supporting force of the water is removed.
Batavia clearly visible from the water and shore during the voyage
The journey can be followed by the public from the water and, at various times, from the shore. In Lelystad, the Oostvaardersdijk in the Bataviakwartier offers a particularly good view of the departure. Once cast off from the jetty, the Batavia will sail across the Markermeer towards Amsterdam. There, the ship continues its journey across the IJ, where it can be seen later in the day from the quays in the city centre. Museum Batavialand urges interested parties to always choose a safe and publicly accessible location and to follow instructions on site.
In the dry dock and then back to Lelystad
The expected arrival at Damen Shiprepair, near the NDSM shipyard, is around 3:00 PM. Remarkably, the ship's launch in 1995 by Queen Beatrix took place from that same dry dock. In the dock, the Batavia will be placed in a so-called chair, a steel support structure 40 meters long and weighing 87 tons. On October 1, the Batavia will return to Lelystad on a pontoon along the same route. If everything proceeds according to plan, the ship will then be brought ashore on October 2 and driven to its new location on the grounds of Museum Batavialand. The mentioned times and dates are subject to change, given operational matters and weather conditions.
To a new museum
The Batavia was built between 1985 and 1995 under the direction of master shipbuilder Willem Vos, together with carpenters and over 600 young people who participated during their training. Some remain involved with the ship to this day. The ship subsequently lay at the quay in Lelystad for 31 years, becoming an icon for the city and the Bataviakwartier. Placement on land is necessary to preserve the Batavia for the long term. This will allow the ship to dry, be better protected against the elements, and receive more targeted maintenance. This relocation operation is the first visible step in the large-scale renewal of Museum Batavialand, where the shipyard, the ship, and the exhibitions will soon be brought together in one location. New construction and renovation are also taking place commissioned by the national government, the province, the municipality, and the museum. The opening is scheduled for the end of 2028.
Route map
Museum Batavialand provides a route map with time indications. This shows the route from Lelystad to Amsterdam, including an indication of when the Batavia passes various points. The times mentioned are indicative and may change due to weather or operational conditions.
