The Linden-Boatyard

There are signs on all three roads to Hjortspringbåden:

• Møllegade / Ellehave
• Dyvigvej - official entrance to the car park, please note that you can park on the grass
• Dyvigvej / Ellehave

Imagine this - after living for over 40 years on the island of Als, I had never seen the reconstruction of the Celtic Iron Age ‘Hjortspringsbåden’ until last year, 2020!

I had passed it many times on my way to the harbour at Dyvig, but had never entered. One day in the summer of 2020, I was driving home from Dyvig and I drove past once more, but then noticed an ‘open today’ sign. I stopped my car, turned round and drove in.

On arrival, I was met at the door by a volunteer lady who showed me around after watching the film about the history of the boat and the many hours put in by volunteers to recreate the Iron Age boat from remains found in the local area. The entire boat was recreated with hand tools, copied from tools from this period. I was also shown the blacksmith's workshop, which brought back good memories from my childhood, when I also became quite skilled as a blacksmith. A thought created a new thought and before I finished my tour, I asked if it would be possible to see the blacksmith in action. I met Johannes a few weeks later and within half an hour the forge was lit and glowing (see picture below).
Interestingly, Johannes still considers himself an adult apprentice despite being in his 80s. I was 10 years old when I first used a forge and had forgotten a lot from back then!

I came back a week later with my camera, when the light conditions were better, to take some pictures of the boat itself and the best one is also attached. All in all a time well spent and thank you all for showing me around. I highly recommend a visit.

John Perry