One of Stockholm’s most popular attractions is the Vasa Museum. It is a purpose built museum which houses the almost fully intact Vasa, a 64 gun warship that sank on her maiden voyage in 1628.
Once her valuable bronze cannons were salvaged in the 17th century, she lay almost undisturbed until she was located in the late 1950s. Vasa was salvaged in 1961 and housed in a temporary museum..go to Wikapedia for the full, fascinating history.
The construction of the present museum began on and around the dry dock of the old naval yard. Vasa was towed into the flooded dry dock under the new building in December 1988 and the museum was opened in 1990.
The first sight of this incredible ship in the subdued lighting will take your breath away. Vasa looks as though she might sail off at any moment with a ghostly crew.
The low light and the fact that the ship is so huge and fills the space makes it difficult to get good photos. You really will have to go there to appreciate just how magnificent it is.
The 3 metre long figurehead lion consists of several parts carved individually and fitted together with bolts.
The intricate details on the carvings is amazing. Vasa must have looked stunning as she sailed out of the harbour.
There are several models showing what the ship would have looked like on her maiden voyage.
I particularly liked the one showing a cross section of the ship and how the sailors worked their positions.
There is a very good guided tour in several languages explaining the circumstances of the ship, the sinking and the salvage. Take time also to watch the film of the salvage. There are areas depicting life as it was at the time of the ship’s construction, with life size models in the dress of the time.
Allow a few hours to really appreciate this amazing ship and the work that has been done by many people to preserve it. There are several floors each giving a different perspective of the ship…don’t miss anything. I guarantee you will be fascinated.