The Vasa Museum (or Wasa) is a museum located on the central island of Djurgården in Stockholm and home to the Royal Ship Vasa. The Vasa, built from 1626 to 1628 for King Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden, is a 15th century warship and one of Sweden’s most popular tourist attractions with over 25 million visitors. She is one of few existing 15th century ships in the world. When completed she was intended to be the grandest warship in the Swedish navy and express the expansionist aspriations of Sweden and King Gustavus Adolphus.
The Vasa Museum offers its visitors the oppurtunity to view the actual ship with their own eyes. The Vasa sunk during her maiden voyage out of the Stockholm harbour area when a gust of wind tilted here such that water was allowed in to her lower gun ports due to serious design flaw. She was raised 333 years later and now resides inside the museum named after itself.
When you visit the Vasa Museum you will have the chance to take a guided tour which will offer exciting insight into the life of 15th century sailors, the construction of the ship, the views of the king on the navy and the reasons as to why she sunk. You will also be able to walk around inside the museum yourself and view the many displays and monitors which cover the Vasa and her sorroundings.
After being raised the Vasa has been in constant conservation. The Vasa has remained in the condition she is in thanks to the protection from the toxicated waters of Stockholms ström which killed many of the organisms which usually eat away at sunken ships, and later, after being raised, by being sprayed with polyethylene glycol. The warship continues to reside in a humid environment inside of the museum. In the spring of 2009 a new exhibition in the museum will open, allowing you to observe how the ship is being continually perserved as the effort continues on this longterm project.
Being a warship, the Vasa had a total of 48 cannons. All of the cannons went down with the ship. Some were salvaged during the 17th century using diving bells while others can be seen on display inside of the museum today!
When you’ve experienced the Vasa museum and seen the warship in all its might you can swing by the museum shop and buy a souvenier cannon, a model of the Vasa or perhaps some glass ornaments and vases.
As the museum is located in central Stockholm several hotels are available nearby, including Grand Hotel Stockholm. It also offers easy access to the Stockholm subway and Stockholm City with its many restaurants and shops.
The Vasa Museum is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. from September 1 to May 31 and 8.30 a.m. to 6 p.m. from June 1 to August 31. The Vasa Museum is closed December 23-25 and January 1.
Price and admission:
Entrence fee is 95 SEK per adult
50 SEK for students with valid ID showing expiration date
Free for children (ages 0-18)
For more information, please view the Vasa Museum website.
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