Vasa Museum, Maritime museum in Djurgården, Sweden
The Vasa Museum houses a nearly complete wooden warship from the 17th century, displayed inside a purpose-built hall. The building was constructed around the vessel, and several floors with viewing galleries allow visitors to observe it from different angles.
The warship was intended to demonstrate the power of the Swedish navy but capsized shortly after leaving port and sank in the harbor. After more than three centuries on the seabed, it was salvaged and restored.
The ship takes its name from the Vasa dynasty that ruled Sweden during the 17th century. Visitors today walk along viewing platforms at different heights to look directly into the hull and observe details such as carved decorations and rigging.
The museum is located on Djurgården island, reachable by ferry, tram, or on foot. Inside, elevators and ramps connect the different levels, making all areas accessible.
The wood remained well preserved over the centuries because the Baltic Sea water contains too little salt to support shipworms. Sculptures at the stern show mythological figures and kings in bright colors, some of which are still visible.
Location: Stockholm
Inception: June 15, 1990
Official opening: June 15, 1990
Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible
Part of: Swedish National Maritime and Transport Museums
Address: Galärvarvsvägen 14
Opening Hours: Monday-Sunday 08:30-18:00
Phone: +46851954800
Website: https://vasamuseet.se
GPS coordinates: 59.32807,18.09139
Latest update: December 4, 2025 23:41
This collection documents the development of seafaring through preserved ships, submarines, and naval museums. The selection includes warships such as USS Constitution in Boston, the Swedish warship Vasa in Stockholm, and HMS Victory in Portsmouth. Visitors can explore restored sailing ships, steamships, and modern naval vessels that represent different eras of maritime history. The featured locations span multiple countries and showcase various aspects of maritime heritage. From Portuguese caravels to British ships of the line and American frigates, these vessels illustrate technical developments and historical events. Many of these museums and ships provide access to decks, captain's quarters, and crew spaces, making life at sea tangible for visitors.
This collection brings together warships that shaped naval warfare across three centuries, from wooden sailing vessels to nuclear-powered submarines. The ships represent turning points in maritime military technology, including the age of sail, the transition to steam and iron hulls, and the advent of nuclear propulsion. Preserved vessels such as HMS Victory and USS Constitution demonstrate life aboard warships during the Napoleonic Wars and the War of 1812, while USS Missouri and USS Nautilus illustrate the strategic role of naval forces during World War II and the Cold War. Visitors can explore the decks where historic battles were commanded, examine artillery from 18-pound cannons to modern naval guns, and walk through the cramped quarters where crews lived during extended deployments. The collection spans continents, with museum ships located in Portsmouth, Pearl Harbor, Stockholm, and Saint Petersburg. Each vessel tells the story of its nation's naval ambitions and the sailors who served aboard, offering a tangible connection to maritime history that no textbook can match.
Stockholm has over 70 museums and cultural institutions spread between its medieval city center and its islands accessible within a few minutes by tram. The city has preserved its original buildings while developing modern exhibition spaces that cover a thousand years of Scandinavian history. Visitors can spend a day walking from the cobbled streets of Gamla Stan, lined with 17th-century merchant houses, to the contemporary galleries of Fotografiska housed in former port warehouses. The permanent collections cover diverse fields. The Vasa Museum displays a 69-meter (226 feet) warship recovered intact after three centuries underwater. The Royal Palace opens its state apartments and treasury to the public. Djurgården Island features several major sites, including Skansen open-air museum with 150 historic buildings from across Sweden, the Modern Art Museum with works by Dalí and Picasso, and ABBA The Museum dedicated to the band that sold 400 million records. The Nobel Museum chronicles the history of the Nobel Prize since 1901 with objects belonging to over 900 laureates.
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