A masterpiece of passion and craftsmanship
At the jetty of Museum Batavialand is the Batavia, an impressive wooden ship with a story that exudes passion, craftsmanship and cooperation. This reconstruction of a 17th-century mirror-return ship was started in 1985 in Lelystad by shipbuilder Willem Vos. With his dream of bringing an East Indiaman back to life, he laid the foundation for a project that not only became a tribute to historical craftsmanship, but also provided opportunities for hundreds of young people.
The rebirth of the Batavia
On October 4, 1985, the first step toward the rebuilding of the Batavia was taken with the keel laying by Mayor J.P.A. Gruijters of Lelystad. What followed was a ten-year construction process involving more than 600 young people and volunteers. Using traditional techniques, tools and materials, the ship was built entirely outdoors, in a simple yard with no modern conveniences.
Life during construction
Construction conditions were primitive, with only a construction shack and a sleeping ship for the workers. Water, electricity and other basic amenities were initially non-existent. Despite these challenges, the shipyard attracted many visitors from the beginning and grew into a tourist attraction. Visitors could see up close how the Batavia took shape and how young people learned old crafts.
The construction of the Batavia was also a social project
This project was much more than just the rebuilding of a ship – it gave hundreds of young people the opportunity to revive centuries-old crafts, such as woodworking and shipbuilding. The Batavia became a living monument of craftsmanship, perseverance and cooperation. To this day, the ship continues to carry on these traditions. Volunteers and students work to maintain the Batavia, keeping the craft of shipbuilding alive and passing it on to new generations.
The christening of the Batavia
The Batavia was festively christened by Queen Beatrix in 1995. For this ceremony, she used water from the Indian Ocean from the site of the wreck of the original 1628 Batavia.
Why a reconstruction and not a replica?
The Batavia is a reconstruction, not an exact copy. Historical sources, paintings and ship’s specifications were used to build a ship as true to life as possible. Yet many details of the original Batavia remained unknown, such as the interior of the ship. Because of this, the reconstruction is an interpretation based on the knowledge and craftsmanship of the time.
Find out more about the original Batavia
Are you curious about the history of the original Batavia and its voyage full of intrigue, shipwreck and drama? Dive deeper into the story on our special page.