HSwMS Småland, Naval museum ship in Gothenburg, Sweden
HSwMS Småland is a destroyer now displayed as a museum ship in Gothenburg and shows various areas of the vessel such as the command bridge, crew quarters, and engine room. The structure lets visitors understand how a Cold War warship functioned, from the weapons systems to the navigation spaces.
The ship was built in 1952 at a local shipyard and served the Swedish Navy as a modern warship during the Cold War. After being decommissioned in 1979, it was converted into a museum ship to preserve Sweden's maritime history.
The ship was named after a Swedish province and represents the craftsmanship of local shipbuilders who gained worldwide recognition. As you walk through the rooms, you see traces of this skill everywhere and understand why Sweden became known for shipbuilding expertise.
Visitors can usually explore the ship on their own or join guided tours to see different areas from top to bottom. It helps to wear comfortable shoes since you climb many stairs and move through tight spaces.
The ship was one of the first Western European destroyers equipped with modern surface-to-air missiles, making it an important example of naval technology of that era. Many visitors overlook this technical innovation when they board.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
