The Runde treasure

The Runde Treasure for tourists – The story of a dramatic shipwreck, a forgotten treasure, and a sensational discovery.

Part 1: VOC
VOC stands for Verenigde Oostindische Compagnie (VOC), the Dutch East India Company – the world’s first joint-stock company and one of the most powerful trading organisations of the 18th century. The VOC held a monopoly on trade with Asia and dispatched large fleets of ships to bring back spices, silk, porcelain, and other valuable goods. Ships like the Akerendam were loaded with large sums of gold and silver coins to finance purchases in Batavia (present-day Jakarta). The coins came from many countries, including the Netherlands, Spain, and the American colonies, and represented enormous value. The Runde Treasure is a direct result of the VOC’s ambitious trading voyages, and the discovery sheds light on this important chapter in European economic history.

Part 2: The Ship Akerendam
The Akerendam was a relatively new merchant ship built in 1724 for the VOC. It was an East Indiaman, designed for long and dangerous voyages. The ship was equipped with cannons for protection against pirates and enemies and had space for a large cargo. The captain was Niclaas de Roy. The Akerendam set out on her maiden voyage together with two other ships. The cargo included at least 19 chests of coins – a total of more than 500 kg of gold and silver, in addition to other trade goods. The ship represented a major investment for the VOC at a time when the Netherlands was trying to maintain its position as a leading trading power.

Part 3: The Voyage from the Netherlands to Norway
On 19 January 1725, the Akerendam departed from Texel in the Netherlands together with two sister ships. The destination was Batavia in Indonesia to trade for spices and other goods. The route went north of Great Britain and then south towards the Cape of Good Hope. Just a few weeks later, the ships encountered a severe storm in the North Sea/Norwegian Sea. The Akerendam lost contact with the other vessels and was driven off course. The storm was extreme, with snow and strong winds, making navigation almost impossible. The ship ended up far north of the planned route, near the Norwegian west coast.

Part 4: The Shipwreck
During the night of 8 March 1725, the Akerendam was wrecked at the northern tip of Runde on the Sunnmøre coast. The ship ran aground close to land, but the storm was so violent that the entire crew of about 200 men perished. No one survived. In the morning, the inhabitants of Runde found wreckage and dead sailors along the beaches. Local farmers salvaged parts of the wreck, including five chests of money that were later returned to the Netherlands. The rest of the ship and its cargo sank and were forgotten for generations. The wreck is a typical example of how dangerous seafaring was in the 18th century.

Part 5: The Aftermath
After the wreck, a maritime inquiry and local court proceedings were held in Ørsta. Residents and representatives of the VOC (via the consul in Bergen) argued over ownership of the salvaged goods. Some chests were recovered and sent back, but much remained on the seabed. The story of the treasure lived on in local legends, but the wreck was largely forgotten. The debate over ownership of wrecks and finds laid the foundation for later legislation on cultural heritage.

Part 6: The Discovery in 1972
On 6 July 1972, three sport divers – Bengt-Olof Gustafsson, Stefan Persson, and Eystein Krohn-Dale – accidentally discovered the wreck while diving in the bay at Kvalneset on Runde (at a depth of approximately 10–18 metres). They found coins and a cannon. They kept the discovery secret at first and recovered large quantities. In total, around 57,000 coins were found (over 6,600 gold coins and the rest silver), plus other objects such as cannons, navigation equipment, and wreck fragments. It was one of the largest coin finds in Europe. The discovery caused a major media sensation and led to a marine archaeological excavation in 1973 by the Bergen Maritime Museum.

Part 7: The Reward for the Divers
After lengthy negotiations, the find was divided: the discoverers received approximately 67–75 % (depending on the source), the Norwegian state 15–25 %, and the Netherlands about 7–10 %. The divers sold their share at auction in Switzerland in 1978 for large sums. The discovery led to changes in Norwegian law: all wrecks older than 100 years were automatically protected to safeguard cultural heritage. The debate centred on finder’s rewards, ownership, and cultural heritage.

Part 8: Placement of the Runde Treasure at Runde Miljøsenter
Parts of the Norwegian state’s share were distributed between the Coin Cabinet in Oslo and the Bergen Maritime Museum. In January 2011, many artefacts were moved “home” to Runde and placed in a permanent exhibition at Runde Miljøsenter (Runde Environmental Centre). Here, tourists can see coins, artefacts, films, and take guided tours about the story. The exhibition combines the treasure with information about the bird cliffs, coastal ecology, and local history – a perfect stop for visitors who want to experience both nature and culture on Runde.

Practical Visiting Information
Runde Miljøsenter (Runde Environmental Centre) is the main place to experience the Runde Treasure exhibition. It also serves as a visitor centre with information on the island’s famous bird cliffs (one of Norway’s largest seabird colonies, with puffins, gannets, and more), coastal nature, and local history.

Opening hours (subject to change – check current details):
In summer (June–August), the centre is typically open daily from 10:00 to 19:00. Shorter hours apply in shoulder seasons (e.g., May and September). It is open by appointment outside the main season.

Tickets:

• Adults: NOK 100
• Child / student / senior: NOK 50 Guided tours are available for an additional fee (approx. NOK 150 for adults / NOK 75 for children) and can be booked in advance. The ticket often includes access to the bird exhibition.

How to get there: Runde is an island connected by road and short ferry crossings, making it easy to reach by car. The most common route is from Ålesund (about 1.5–2 hours drive including ferries). Fly into Ålesund Airport (Vigra) for convenient access. Public transport options exist but are more limited—buses and ferries connect via towns like Hareid or Fosnavåg. Private tours or guided day trips from Ålesund are popular.

What to combine with your visit:

• Hike to the bird cliffs (Lundeura) – about 45–60 minutes uphill from the parking area. Best for puffins from mid-April to mid-July.
• Enjoy the café at the centre for coffee, cake, or meals with sea views.
• Consider staying overnight in apartments at or near the centre for a full nature immersion.
• Wear good walking shoes, bring weather-appropriate clothing (it can be windy and rainy), binoculars for birdwatching, and check the weather forecast.

• Contact:
  • Phone: +47 70 08 08 00
  • Website: en.opplevrunde.no
  • Address: Rundavegen 237, 6096 Runde

The Runde Treasure is not just a hoard of gold and silver, but a fascinating piece of European and Norwegian history. Visit Runde Environmental Centre to experience the story up close!