Historical ships on the harbour of Holbæk

Denmark's first free port for wooden ships

Down at the old harbour in Holbæk, where the ferry departs for the island of Orø, lies a collection of historic wooden ships that together tell over a hundred years of Danish maritime history. The wooden ships at Holbæk Harbour form the country's first free port for vessels worthy of preservation — a place where old galeasses, fishing cutters and cargo ships can lie free of charge at the quay while their owners maintain them and preserve a piece of living cultural heritage.

Galeasses, cutters and cargo ships side by side

Around twenty wooden ships call Holbæk their home port, and many of them have more than a century behind them. The great galeasses with their characteristic two masts tell of a time when goods were carried under sail along the Danish coasts. The fishing cutters bear the marks of decades of toil on the Kattegat and the Isefjord, and every single ship has its own story — of storms, strandings and enthusiastic volunteers who have invested thousands of hours in saving them from the breaker's yard.

A living harbour with craft and traditions

Holbæk Harbour is not a museum behind glass. It is a working harbour where the maintenance of wooden ships takes place openly and visually. At least once a year every ship must go on the slipway to be inspected and painted below the waterline, and the harbour's two slipways can take vessels of up to 120 tonnes. Stand on the quay at the right moment and you may witness the sight of an enormous ship on dry land — a reminder of the dimensions hidden beneath the waterline. The bark kettle, the tall white brick chimney by the harbour, is another relic from the world of wooden ships: here sails and rigging were barked according to ancient tradition, a technique that protected the materials from salt and rot.

Summer voyages and the rhythm of the harbour

In summer many of the ships weigh anchor and set off on voyages along the Danish coasts, to wooden ship gatherings and classic sailing events. This means the collection changes character with the seasons — but there are always ships at the quay, and you will never come in vain. The harbour has its own particular rhythm, following wind, weather and season. In the quiet winter months the fleet lies close together, and the smoke from the cabin stoves mingles with the smell of tar and salt.

Experiences around Holbæk Fjord

The wooden ships are part of a wider harbour milieu stretching along the south side of Holbæk Fjord. From here it is a short walk to Holbæk's historic town centre with its medieval streets, museums and restaurants. The fjord itself offers kayaking and boat trips, and the nearby island of Orø — reached by ferry directly from the harbour — is an ideal excursion destination with its quiet roads, beaches and the landscape that has attracted artists for generations. Along the coast to the west, the landscape opens towards Tuse Næs and the great nature areas along the Isefjord. Visit destinationsjaelland.dk for more experiences and inspiration for your stay in the Holbæk area.