The Mercator sailing ship, the training vessel in Ostend harbour

The Mercator is a three-masted sailing ship designed by the polar explorer Adrien de Gerlache and built in Scotland. She was a training ship for the Belgian merchant navy: she had only two captains and made 41 voyages, and in 1956 she brought back the remains of Father Damien from Molokai. Since 1964 she has been moored in Ostend's marina, right in the centre, as a museum.

The visit and prices

You walk around the deck, the cabins and the holds with objects from her voyages. It costs €8, €7 for students, €6 from age 6 to 14 and is free under 6. In November it opens on Saturdays and Sundays from 10:00 to 17:00; for the rest of the year, check the days on its website.