Sneglehuset, Thyborøn

A fisherman’s love story in shells

Sneglehuset began as a promise from local fisherman Alfred Chr. Pedersen to his wife, Poula: he would build her a house so unusual that people would travel from far away to see it. In 1949 he started covering their modest home with shells gathered from the surrounding North Sea and beyond, patiently setting them into patterns that climb walls, frame windows and curve around doorways. For 25 years he worked on the decoration, finishing in 1974 with a façade that looks more like sculpture than masonry. What makes the story compelling is its mix of everyday fishing life and meticulous artistry. While others in Thyborøn mended nets, Alfred spent countless off-hours sorting, arranging and fixing shells in place, turning a simple dwelling into a personal monument. The result is both a declaration of love and a testament to the persistence of one man’s vision on an often harsh stretch of coast.

A house completely wrapped in the sea

From the street you immediately see why Sneglehuset is unlike any other house in town. Every surface seems encrusted: spiralling snail shells form borders, larger conches become focal points, and bands of mussels and scallops create stripes and geometric motifs. The closer you look, the more layers reveal themselves; no two sections of wall are quite the same. Step inside and the immersion continues. Ceilings, pillars and interior walls are also covered in shells, so the usual distinction between outdoors and indoors almost disappears. Light filtering through the windows plays off glossy surfaces and pearly textures, creating a shifting mosaic of colours. It feels a little like standing inside a giant, landlocked shell while the sea rumbles just beyond the dunes.

Denmark’s largest shell and bottle-ship collection

Beyond the shell-clad architecture, Sneglehuset functions as a small museum focused on maritime curiosities. Display cases present what is described as Denmark’s largest collection of shells and conches, ranging from familiar local mussels to exotic specimens from warmer oceans. Size, shape and colour vary dramatically, giving a miniature lesson in marine biodiversity as you walk along the exhibits. Another highlight is the extensive collection of ships in bottles, many crafted by West Jutland fishermen in their spare time. Tiny rigging, painted hulls and carefully proportioned sails are suspended inside glass, reflecting the patience and precision of a craft born from long hours at sea. Together, the shells and bottle ships form a quiet tribute to the skills and obsessions of coastal communities.

Café corners, keepsakes and quiet pauses

Sneglehuset is more than a static display. A small café area offers simple refreshments such as ice cream, coffee and cake, providing a pause between rooms of intricate detail. Nearby, a compact shop sells maritime-themed souvenirs and pieces of amber jewellery, connecting the experience to the wider coastal landscape where such amber is often found. Seating nooks and sheltered spots allow you to linger and study the details at your own pace. It is easy to spend longer than expected tracing patterns on the walls or trying to pick out individual shell species. For many visitors, it becomes a gentle, almost meditative stop amid the wind, waves and wide horizons of the North Sea coast.

The romantic heart of a coastal curiosity

At the core of Sneglehuset lies a romantic streak. Alfred created a special love bench, decorated with shells forming a red heart, which soon became a quiet meeting place for local teenagers. Over time, the house’s intimate corners and storybook setting made it a popular backdrop for couples, and the site can even host small wedding ceremonies in its distinctive surroundings. The house also reflects the character of Thyborøn itself: resilient, creative and closely tied to the sea. Just behind the museum, the surf centre and skate facilities speak to a more active side of the town, while Sneglehuset offers something introspective and handcrafted. Together they show how a working fishing community can also nurture eccentric, enduring works of art along Denmark’s rugged northwest coast.