Prinzessin Marie-Astrid Europa serves as a floating extension of the museum experience – not as a relic of the past, but as a space for reflection, dialogue, and inspiration. Restored and reimagined, the boat welcomes visitors into an atmosphere shaped by memory, symbolism, and openness. Walking through its decks, you follow in the footsteps of the politicians and visionaries who, in 1985, signed the Schengen Agreement and took a decisive step toward a Europe without internal borders.

The architects conceived the boat as a floating theatre – a stage that brings history to life through flexible, narrative-driven spaces. The renovation preserves the vessel’s original structure while introducing new functions and a dynamic dialogue with the adjacent museum. On the upper deck, carefully chosen finishes, curtains, and lighting recall the elegance and ambiance of the signing ceremony, blended with contemporary design elements. This space acts as a kind of time machine, transporting visitors back to the moment when European cooperation found a tangible form.

Below deck, a multifunctional environment offers room for conferences, exhibitions, and public events. Central to the experience is the Signing Room – the historic site of the Schengen Agreements of 1985 and 1990. A newly designed installation immerses visitors in the spirit of the time, highlighting the key figures involved and reminding us of how much can begin in a single moment. Museum admission includes access to the boat.