Batavialand Museum is undergoing a renovation. Step by step, we are building a future-proof museum where stories about water, land, and people come to life. The Batavia is now on dry land, and plans for the renovated museum are taking shape.
But to stay on this course, we need help—for the maintenance and restoration of the Batavia, for a protective roof over the ship, and for the continued renovation of Museum Batavialand. Every euro helps.
On dry land, ready for the next phase
On October 2, 2026, the Batavia was driven ashore and took its new place on the museum grounds. It was a special moment following an impressive journey.
Now begins a phase that is just as important. We want to preserve the Batavia for future generations. This requires maintenance and restoration. We also want to provide the ship with a roof over its head, so that it is better protected from the elements.
Preserving a ship like the Batavia is a joint effort. Even a small donation helps. As a friend of Museum Batavialand, you’ll be contributing to our heritage and our stories for years to come.
There are also plenty of opportunities for companies, foundations, and individual donors who support Museum Batavialand to get involved. Would you like to make a larger contribution or work with us to find a suitable way to support us? We’d be happy to discuss this with you.
The museum itself is also undergoing renovations
The renovation of Museum Batavialand consists of new construction, the redesign of existing buildings, and the development of the National Ship Archaeology Depot.
Everything is designed with a focus on the visitor experience, accessibility, and the preservation of cultural heritage. The result is a single, cohesive space where you can discover stories about water, land, and people.
What is the current status of the plans?
A 100% preliminary design is now in place for both the building and the interior.
The design teams are currently working with Museum Batavialand to identify where optimizations are possible and necessary. In doing so, we are examining, among other things, the building, the museum’s layout, the visitor experience, and the feasibility of the plans.
As soon as these optimizations are known, we’ll move on to the next phase of the design process.
The Batavia will be given a prominent spot
In the plans, the Batavia plays a key role in the revitalized museum complex. The ship is on land and will be integrated into the broader narrative of Museum Batavialand.
Plans are also underway for the new entrance building, exhibition spaces, and workshops. Together, these elements should form a unified whole, with the soil and the stories hidden within it serving as the connecting thread.
Design teams on board
Two design teams have been selected for the renovated Museum Batavialand:
- The Black Dog (in collaboration with Arup) – responsible for the design of the new museum building.
- OPERA – responsible for interior design.
Together with Museum Batavialand, they are working on a design that:
- functional and durable;
- fits the identity of Flevoland and Lelystad;
- provides space for stories about water, land and people;
- invites visitors to explore, learn and experience together.
Curious about their vision?
Read the conversation with André van der Slik (De Zwarte Hond) and Jeroen Luttikhuis (OPERA), in which they talk about their inspiration, collaboration and initial ideas for the new Museum Batavialand.
Together, we keep our stories afloat
The renovation of Museum Batavialand is more than just a construction project. It’s about preserving and passing on stories that cannot be told anywhere else in this way.
That is why we are looking for people and organizations who want to look to the future with us. Friends, donors, companies, foundations, and individual donors: every contribution helps preserve the Batavia and ensure that Museum Batavialand is ready for the future.
Hidden stories dive together at Museum Batavialand.
Stay informed
Would you like to follow the progress of the Batavia’s restoration and the renovation of Museum Batavialand? If so, sign up for the newsletter about the renovation.
The renovation of Museum Batavialand is being made possible through a collaboration between the national government, the Province of Flevoland, the Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands, the Ministry of Education, Culture, and Science, the municipality of Lelystad, and Museum Batavialand.
Last update to this page: October 2026
