The Engine Collection in the old engine factory

Step inside the old engine factory

In the old Motorfabrikken Marstal (engine factory) history still lingers amongst the workbenches, machine parts and heavy engine blocks. Here you can explore the engine collection, which is part of the Marstal Søfartsmuseum (maritime museum) and is housed in the factory’s original buildings on Eriksens Plads.

As you make your way through the premises, it is easy to imagine the daily life that once unfolded here. The smell of oil and metal, the worn workbenches and the many mechanical details tell the story of a place where craftsmanship and technical ingenuity went hand in hand.

The engines that kept seafarers afloat

In the collection, you’ll encounter the distinctive Marstal Engines, which for decades were the choice of fishermen and boatmen because they could withstand life at sea. The engines became renowned for their robust construction, reliability and long service life – qualities that were crucial when working far from land.

As a visitor, you’ll get up close to the engines and can examine everything from large flywheels and cylinders to the many well-thought-out details that made the engines so popular. It’s an experience that offers a rare insight into the technology that helped drive maritime Denmark forward.

The story of a Marstal success story

The engine factory was founded in a town with strong roots in seafaring and fishing. The need for reliable engines grew in step with the development of the harbour, and the factory evolved into a major enterprise with customers far beyond the country’s borders.

Today, this history lives on in the engine collection. Here, the story of innovation, craftsmanship and the maritime industry comes to life in the very same rooms where the engines were once built and repaired.

Practical information

You can visit the engine collection every Tuesday and Thursday from 10.00 to 12.00. On Thursdays, the engines are started up.

The Engine Collection is located close to the bus stop at Marstal Harbour, and there are parking spaces around the harbour.

The Engine Collection is part of the Marstal Søfartsmuseum (maritime museum), but can also be visited as a standalone attraction. If you have a ticket for the museum, you have free access to the engine collection. If you only wish to visit the engine collection, you can buy a ticket at the entrance.

The entrance is right next to Eriksens Plads, which is a cradle of wooden shipbuilding. Both the square and the museum are well worth a visit when you’re in the area.