If you go to only one museum in Stockholm, go to the Vasa. It intrigued us because on one of our walks, across the waterfront, we saw an impressive ship-like building – the Vasa Museum – sitting next to a classically built edific
The Vasa is a large warship that took 300 men two years to build in 1626. In 1628, it set sail on its inaugural voyage to much fanfare, only to keel over and sink before it made it out of Stockholm harbour. What an anti-climax.
333 years later (such a magic number!), the Swedes salvaged the ship, excavated and restored it, eventually turning it into a 7-floor museum. Conservation is an on-going process. The ship’s size is the most dramatic thing about it. You can go up & down – your choice, elevator or stairs – to look at all the levels of the ship. And they’ve extracted details like the decorative elements, the working objects, and a model ship for a close-up inspection.
Normally, war ships aren’t my thing. However, having been, I can see why it is the most popular museum in Sweden.
~ Spotted Cow
Wandering Cows 
I adore history like this WC – we had a similar (but much more recent) occurrence when the Hunley, the first submarine ever used in warfare, was excavated from Charleston harbor. Great post.
I am amazed at how they extract these big heavy water-logged things out of the sea and then recover and reconstruct them so that we learn the story. It’s really fascinating.
Imagine the mood of the crowd, the builders and the government that day. I wonder if heads rolled.
Actually, I do wonder how large ships float. I know the physics but it is still bewildering. 🙂
Heads must’ve rolled ! You know, I wonder the same thing about aeroplanes, i.e. how the get up and stay up in the air. Even knowing the physics makes it bewildering.
We also were fascinated by this museum. Such a great story and so much to learn from this war ship. Nice pics. (Suzanne)
I know, I thought there were so many interesting stories !
it is indeed an amazing and unique museum (though the english have done a really good job with the 16th century mary rose in portsmouth) thanks for taking me there again.
anne
My pleasure! And I might have to do a day trip and have a look around the Mary Rose.