Visiting the Vasa

I can't believe that I forgot to write about visiting the Vasa, a ship from the early 1600s that sank in Stockholm's waters on its maiden voyage, which was thankfully a "test drive," so only a "skeleton crew' died. After resurrecting the ship, they reconstructed the whole thing, and built the museum around it, telling us about Swedish empire-building, especially on the seas, in its golden age.
Original ship, above, and painted-to-original-color models of statues from the side of the ship, to the left.

The ship is amazing; it was clearly built in order to DISPLAY the might of Sweden and of her king; it was decorated with colorful animal heads, mythological beings, the heads of Roman Caesars, and openings for cannons. But, alas, it was not built to float; it was too top heavy, with rows of second and third floor cannon. With one good wave, the cannons rolled to the right; the Vasa took on water, and sank to the bottom of Stockholm harbor!


There were displays based on Swedish naval battles; others based on the reconstructed skeletons they found on board; and still more based on the numerous items found on board that were part of the kitchen, the sea men's gear and clothing, and the ship's medical gear. Those pictured here are, of course, models.