After visiting Skansen, we quickly made our way to the Vasa Museum which is about a 15 minutes walk away. Previously we had not heard about Vasa Museum but the couchsurfer who we were staying with had recommended this place to us. So what makes this place worth going? Obviously it must be the ship inside the building!
The warship, yes you have guessed correctly, is named Vasa. The ship was commissioned by King Gustav II Adolf, who wanted a warship powerful enough to win the war against Poland at that time. Vasa had 64 cannons and was capable of carrying a crew of 450 men. The builders finished building the ship in 1628 and Vasa was ready for her maiden voyage on 10 August 1628. However, a few minutes after she set off and after barely sailing 1300 metres, she sank. Even though not as famous as the sinking of Titanic, this event and the subsequent salvage of Vasa in 1961 had been quite remarkable too. If Vasa had sunk in the open seas, it would have been impossible to locate the ship. Since the ship never saw any action, the entire ship was well preserved in the deep waters.
Globe Nomads review ratings: 4
Seen a real 17th Century warship in its entire glory elsewhere? I think not. However that is not the only reason to visit Vasa Museum. Naturally you would be able to learn about the 17th century way of life on the seas but you can also learn about what happens when inappropriate methods of conservation are used. Examples include ineffective moisture management in the past decade led to the increased pace of deterioration and also the spraying of polyethylene glycol on the ship had stripped away the previous colors that were painted. Moisture management has been improved but it is impossible to restore the natural colours which were once there. (please refer to ratings explanation)
Visitor Information:
Admission: adults 110 SEK, students 80 SEK, free for under 18.
Don’t miss the free guided tour! I would recommend at least 2 hours for a meaningful visit.
Vasa Museum – the only one housing an entire 17th Century warship
10 Jan 2011
After visiting Skansen, we quickly made our way to the Vasa Museum which is about a 15 minutes walk away. Previously we had not heard about Vasa Museum but the couchsurfer who we were staying with had recommended this place to us. So what makes this place worth going? Obviously it must be the ship inside the building!
The warship, yes you have guessed correctly, is named Vasa. The ship was commissioned by King Gustav II Adolf, who wanted a warship powerful enough to win the war against Poland at that time. Vasa had 64 cannons and was capable of carrying a crew of 450 men. The builders finished building the ship in 1628 and Vasa was ready for her maiden voyage on 10 August 1628. However, a few minutes after she set off and after barely sailing 1300 metres, she sank. Even though not as famous as the sinking of Titanic, this event and the subsequent salvage of Vasa in 1961 had been quite remarkable too. If Vasa had sunk in the open seas, it would have been impossible to locate the ship. Since the ship never saw any action, the entire ship was well preserved in the deep waters.
Globe Nomads review ratings: 4
Seen a real 17th Century warship in its entire glory elsewhere? I think not. However that is not the only reason to visit Vasa Museum. Naturally you would be able to learn about the 17th century way of life on the seas but you can also learn about what happens when inappropriate methods of conservation are used. Examples include ineffective moisture management in the past decade led to the increased pace of deterioration and also the spraying of polyethylene glycol on the ship had stripped away the previous colors that were painted. Moisture management has been improved but it is impossible to restore the natural colours which were once there.
(please refer to ratings explanation)
Visitor Information:
Admission: adults 110 SEK, students 80 SEK, free for under 18.
Don’t miss the free guided tour! I would recommend at least 2 hours for a meaningful visit.
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Look for the 3 masts on the exterior of the museum.
Vasa Musuem was built over this dock.
The museum closes quite early at 5pm so make sure you get here early.
Once you enter you are greeted with this sight of the Vasa warship.
They have quite a large model of what Vasa would have looked like in 1628.
Looking at Vasa from the stern (back) side.
The stern has many intricate carvings, which were very symbolic at that era.
To appreciate the carvings, you have to imagine them with brightly painted colours.
To raise the anchor must be pretty tough at that time.
16 remains were found in the salvage and some are displayed here.
See other photos of Stockholm at Globe Nomads Facebook photo album.