Vasa

Today we caught the ferry from the old town terminal to go to the Vasa museum.
We saw the Royal palace building from the water.









- The yacht that is now a youth hostel.



The Vasa: Let’s set the scene.


Model of Vasa
Six hundred years ago the waters around the island were busy with warships, trading vessels and pirate ships using the narrow channel between the Baltic and Lake Malaren. Stockholm emerged as the center of commerce and government of Sweden. Stockholm needed warships to protect the country and its inhabitants.
On 10 August 1628, Vasa set sail on her maiden voyage of just 1.3Km capsized in Stockholm Harbour in calm weather. About 30 people went down with what was supposed to be the pride of the Navy only 100m off the southernmost point of Djurgarden - very near where the museum is located today.


Gun Ports. Vasa carried 64 heavy cannons on 2 gun decks - more than earlier Swedish ships of the same size. This contributed to its capsizing.
Most of the guns were salvaged from the vessel in the 17th century, and it was not until 1956 that a marine archaeologist’s persistent search led to the rediscovery of the Vasa.


The wreck was salvaged in 1961 after 333 years under the sea. A 17-year conversation program followed a complex salvage operation and Sweden’s Vasamuseet was opened in June 1990. The reconstructed vessel, 98 per cent original, is splendidly adorned with hundreds of carved sculptures. It offers a unique insight into early 17th century Sweden.



How did it happen?


 The design and test sailing proved it unstable, the King demanded it set sail -No one was charged!








The Vasa was 69m long



And 52.5m high

A model of work conditions















Who were the sailors?



We really enjoyed this unique experience.

Walking around the south of island we came across a local maritime museum.
The Royal barge was a hit.

The Nordic museum resembles an extravagant Renaissance castle.

It displays everyday life in Sweden from 1520s to present day.

The colossal statue in the museum hall is Gustav Vasa, king of Sweden 1523-1560. He is considered as the regent who unified Sweden and moulded the country into a nation state. It is 6m tall and was created by Swedish sculptor, Carl Miles in 1925.



















Of particular interest was the exhibit on the Sami indigenous peoples of Scandinavia.














We enjoyed our time in Sweden.








Location: Stockholm, Sweden

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