Christopher Polhems sluss, Engineering landmark in Slussen district, Stockholm, Sweden.
Christopher Polhem's lock is a historic waterway structure in Stockholm's Slussen district that regulated ships moving between the sea's salt water and Lake Mälaren's fresh water. The construction featured a wooden chamber dressed with sandstone and allowed larger vessels to access the inner harbor.
Christopher Polhem, a celebrated engineer and inventor, began this ambitious project in 1744 at an advanced age. The lock used advanced water management systems and demonstrated the innovative engineering capabilities of Sweden during that period.
The lock was part of Stockholm's vital shipping route, allowing vessels to move between the sea and Lake Mälaren. This made the harbor a central meeting point for goods and people traveling between different regions.
The lock is located in Stockholm's busy Slussen district and is easily accessible on foot from the city center. Visitors should know that the original structure is now hidden below street level and visible only through archaeological remains and information at nearby museums.
The lock was constructed using an innovative wooden caisson system that floated into position on the water and was then clad with sandstone. This construction method was remarkable for its time and showed Polhem's creative problem-solving in handling practical challenges.
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