Slussen, Navigation lock at Södermalm intersection, Stockholm, Sweden.
Slussen is a lock system where Lake Mälaren meets the Baltic Sea in Stockholm, using large gates to manage the different water levels between these two bodies of water. This arrangement allows boats to pass through safely while preventing flooding in the surrounding areas.
Queen Christina ordered the first lock built in 1642 to solve problems with boats moving between Lake Mälaren and the Baltic Sea. The structure has been rebuilt and improved many times over the centuries to meet changing shipping needs.
The lock area developed as a medieval trading hub and remains a place where locals and visitors naturally gather to watch the water and the constant movement of boats.
The lock is surrounded by walkways and paths where you can watch the water and boats passing through. The area is easy to reach and has plenty of space to explore at a comfortable pace.
The lock was built with oversized foundations designed to handle future sea level rise from climate change. This forward-thinking design shows how the structure anticipates problems that may come decades down the road.
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