Rubjerg Knude: Sand Drift Museum

A museum in the old lighthouse

The lighthouse's original function terminated in 1968, after which the buildings stood empty. In 1971 the Ministry for Cultural Affairs directed an inquiry to the preservation committee for North Jutland County concerning the future use of Rubjerg Knude Lighthouse. A work group was appointed, which, the following year, submitted a report; in which the establishment of a sand drift museum in the lighthouse buildings was recommended.

This became a reality in 1980, when Vendsyssel Historical Museum opened the doors of the new museum of sand and sand drift to the public.

: Rubjerg Knude Lighthouse converted to the Sand Drift Museum with cafeteria.

The exhibit told about Rubjerg Knude Lighthouse’s history, the construction, the finished lighthouse and its operation. In addition the exhibit told about the technical elements in the lighthouse: lens apparatus, fog signal and the clockwork. The fight with the sand etc. was also told by the exhibit.

Oddly enough it was the sand that, in the end, won the fight. Already in 1992 the museum had to give up the fight with the sand and let it bury the lighthouse buildings. The museum was closed in 2002.

Read also about Vendsyssel Historical Museum’s new exhibit location in Rubjerg - The Wreck Master’s Farm, where Rubjerg Knude’s cultural and natural history is told.

: Rubjerg Knude Lighthouse is about to be covered by far too much sand, May 2002.

The lighthouse's history
Daily life
The future

: The cafeteria at Rubjerg Knude Lighthouse in 1980.

: Overview plan of the Sand Drift Museum’s lay-out in Rubjerg Knude Lighthouse.

: The exhibit “Sand and sand drift” told the public about sand seen from a geological, natural historical and cultural historical point of view. Also the history of Rubjerg Knude was told in the exhibit. Photo: Niels Bendsen.

: In 2000 a special exhibit could be seen on Foucault’s pendulum at the Sand Drift Museum.

Vendsyssel Historiske Museum · tlf. 96 24 10 50 · vhm@vhm.dk