The Vasa, completed in 1627, was designed to be the most terrifying war ship ever built. It was 69 meters long (that's over half of a football field - including endzones), over 50 meters high from the keel to the top of the mast, has ten sails, 64 cannons, and 100 sculptures.
On 10 August 1628, Vasa's crew took their places and guided her on her maiden voyage. A modest wind caused Vasa to rock uncontrollably and she ended up at the bottom of Stockholm Harbor. She only traveled 1,300 feet.
Until the beginning of the 20th century Stockholm's harbor was a cesspool - literally - a dumping place for garbage and latrines. It made the water very poor and it was a nightmare for fish and crustaceans, but it also made Vasa spectacularly well-preserved.
On 5 September 1958, Vasa was raised from her watery grave after being underwater for 330 years. The Vasa Museum is now one of the country's most visited tourist attractions.
I had read online that many cruise ship passengers who have only one day to spend in Stockholm head straight to the Vasa Museum first thing in the morning. We waited until the afternoon to visit. The ship is so large there is no way to get the whole thing in a photo.
The museum had a scaled model to show what it would have looked like in 1628.
On 10 August 1628, Vasa's crew took their places and guided her on her maiden voyage. A modest wind caused Vasa to rock uncontrollably and she ended up at the bottom of Stockholm Harbor. She only traveled 1,300 feet.
Until the beginning of the 20th century Stockholm's harbor was a cesspool - literally - a dumping place for garbage and latrines. It made the water very poor and it was a nightmare for fish and crustaceans, but it also made Vasa spectacularly well-preserved.
On 5 September 1958, Vasa was raised from her watery grave after being underwater for 330 years. The Vasa Museum is now one of the country's most visited tourist attractions.
I had read online that many cruise ship passengers who have only one day to spend in Stockholm head straight to the Vasa Museum first thing in the morning. We waited until the afternoon to visit. The ship is so large there is no way to get the whole thing in a photo.
The museum had a scaled model to show what it would have looked like in 1628.
I was really interested in the salvaged shoes which had been made by Swedish shoemakers.
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