Brantevik, situated at the Southeast part of Scania (Skåne), is young compared with the nearby villages Skillinge and Kivik.
The first known settlement at Brantevik took place in 1755. The fishing was naturally what most of the early settlers found their living from.
During the early 1800s the trade with fishing products and grain started. The transports were carried out by the larger fishing-boats. The boats returned with firewood and other wooden products.
In the mid 1800s the ships were getting bigger, mainly sloops and schooners. That was the crucial step into the shipping era.
Although Brantevik did not have any suitable harbour, both the number and size of vessels grew.
In 1871 the “Sjöassuransföreningen Hoppet” was founded. It was a kind of insurance association for Brantevikian ships – at the time there was 23 of them. The number increased rapidly and in 1899 they were 118 all of them sailing ships of different kinds.
In 1924 the “Sjöassuransföreningen Hoppet” had their own building erected at the site where Brantevik’s first school had been situated.
It is said that Brantevik, during the most flourishing years, had the largest sailing fleet in Sweden. Little by little the number decreased and in 1959 the last ships were sold.
The insurance company liquidated in 1955.
The following year the association was converted into a foundation, the Stiftelsen (Foundation) Hoppet that ran and still runs the business as a maritime museum.
During the last few years a fishing museum is being organised.