The Vasa Museum in Stockholm
When I think Sweden, I think great music, great people, great coffee (they are the masters of fika, after all), vikings, and, without a soubt - the Vasa!
Uncovering the rich cultural history of any country is a joy to any traveller. One of the gems in Stockholm is most definitely the Vasa Museum, nestled on the island of Djurgården,which is near the Nordiska Museum and the Maritime Museum. (In fact, the Vasa Museum is part of the Swedish National Maritime Museums, which also owns the Maritime Museum).
Now, if you’ve got no interest in history, nor in 17th century warships, then this museum will not interest you in the least. However, if the thought of seeing a large ship with 64 guns that was left almost intact despite sinking in 1628 during it’s maiden voyage intrigues you - well, buddy, let me tell you, you’re in for a great time!
Considering the Vasa Museum is the most visited museum in all of Scandinavia, I think it’s safe to say lot’s of people do find themselves fascinated by the wonder of this ship that remained under the sea (cue: Sebastian singing “Under the Sea”) for 333 years.
Although the ship is undoubtedly the main attraction of the museum - it’s put front and centre - there are other levels/ rooms that discuss the history surrounding the possible people who traveled below it’s sails, and explain how it was successfully excavated from the ocean floor in one-piece.
The museum is located on the island of Djurgården
An early invention made to travel to the ocean floor while still being able to breath.
Guided tours in both English and Swedish are available, and you can pay by either cash or card (there are two separate lines). The museum is free for all those under the age of 18, but you must provide identification to receive the discount. Adults pay SEK 150, which is the equivalent of $16.20 USD, $21.50 CAD, £12.20 GBP. Student discounts were also available upon presentation of a student card when I went. Season tickets are available, if you wish to visit the museum multiple times during a longer stay in Stockholm.
Depending on whether you read or skim (or skip entirely) the descriptions of each part of the ship, the total time that should be alotted to view the Vasa Museum is 1-2 hours.
The design of the museum itlsef is also worth noting; the architects were actually chosen via a contest hosted by the Swedish govenrment that saw 384 submissions. The winners were Göran Månsson and Marianne Jakobbäck, who presented their innovative design entitled Ask (in english: box)
Now, let’s move on to the main attraction:
I would like to preface these photos by saying: they do not do the ship any justice whatsoever. The Vasa’s vastness cannot be captured in such a small lens, and though the ship is so well-lit in real life, the exact type of lighting used quarreled with my camera’s focus.
I genuinely really enjoyed the Vasa Museum. It was beautifully designed, and the descriptions were informative and well translated into a slew of different languages (English, French, Spanish, Japanese, among others). Audiobooks were available, and the museum is very simple to peruse and view at your own pace. There are also season passes available if you wish to visit the museum multiple times during a longer stay in Stockholm.
RECAP + TL/ DR
Price: ◾️◾️◽️◽️
Types of payments available: Card and Cash
Cards accepted: American Express, VISA, Master Card, Diners Club International and Maestro.
Worth the priec?: Yes, if you enjoy well-preserved pieces of history
Accesible space: Yes
Gift Shop: Yes
Accesible by transit: Yes, get off at the stops available for the Nordiska Museum and walk!
Discounts: Yes: for students. Museum is also free is you’re under 18.
Recommended? Yes, yes, yes!
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