Hendrick Hamel Museum

The Hendrick Hamel Museum is located in the birthplace of Hendrick Hamel (1630–1692), a sailor from Gorcum. In 1653, Hamel was shipwrecked aboard the VOC ship De Sperwer off the coast of the Korean island of Jeju. He remained a prisoner in Korea for thirteen years before managing to escape. His account was the first detailed description of the country in the Western world, which is why he is still regarded as a national hero in South Korea. The museum highlights his journey, his stay in the “Forbidden Kingdom,” and the special bond between Gorinchem and Korea.