Sweden Guide
Stockholm
Vasa Museum
Opening time: Daily: mid-June to mid-Aug 9.30am–7pm; mid-Aug to mid-June 10am–5pm, Wed until 8pm
Price: 80kr
Website: www.vasamuseet.se
The Vasa Museum (Vasamuséet) is head and shoulders above anything else that Stockholm has to offer in the way of museums. Built on the orders of King Gustav II Adolf, the Vasa warship sank in Stockholm harbour on her maiden voyage in 1628 – built to a design that was both too tall and too narrow, it keeled over and sank as soon as it was put afloat. Preserved for over 300 years by the Baltic's brackish waters – not salty enough for the taste of wood-boring worms – the ship was raised along with 12,000 objects in 1961, and now forms the centrepiece of a startling, purpose-built hall on the water's edge.
Though the building itself is impressive, nothing prepares you for the sheer size of the ship itself: 62m long, with a main mast which was originally 50m above the keel, it sits virtually complete in the hall. Surrounding walkways bring you nose to nose with cannon hatches and restored decorative relief, the gilded wooden sculptures on the soaring prow designed to intimidate the enemy and proclaim Swedish might. Faced with its frightening bulk, it's not difficult to understand the terror that such ships must have generated. Adjacent exhibition halls and presentations on several levels take care of all the retrieved bits and bobs. There are reconstructions of life on board, detailed models of the Vasa, displays relating to contemporary social and political life, an hourly English-language film about the history of the Vasa, excellent explanations and regular English-language guided tours (included in the entrance fee).