Drottning Kristinas sluss, Navigation lock in Gamla Stan, Sweden
Drottning Kristinas sluss is a lock in Gamla Stan that connects Lake Mälaren with the Baltic Sea, allowing vessels to pass between different water levels. The passage measures approximately 75 meters long and 10 meters wide and serves as a key navigation point for shipping in Stockholm.
The lock was completed in 1642 by Dutch craftsmen Lennart Hermansson and Adrian Dams and represents the first of its kind in the region. Named in honor of Queen Christina of Sweden, it marked a turning point in Stockholm's maritime history.
The lock bears the name of Queen Christina of Sweden, and visitors can observe how it shapes daily life in the city today. People use the area around it as a passage and gathering point that connects daily rhythms between the lake and sea.
Visitors can watch the lock operate from surrounding streets and bridges as vessels pass through, especially when approaching transit times. The best time to observe is during daytime hours when traffic is active and the system's function is most visible.
The original structure used water screws at both ends that required horses to operate them for adjusting water levels between sections. This early form of hydraulics was a remarkable technical feature of its time before being replaced by more modern systems.
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