Kalmarsund VIII, Car ferry museum in Färjestaden, Sweden.
The Kalmarsund VIII is a former ferry vessel preserved as a museum ship at Färjestaden, telling the story of regional maritime transportation. The ship spans roughly 42 meters in length and 10.7 meters in width, with decks and interior spaces showing how passengers and vehicles were once accommodated and moved across local waters.
Built in 1963 at the Kalmar shipyard, the vessel served for decades as a ferry connecting passengers and vehicles across local waters. After its working life ended, the ship was preserved to document this period of maritime transportation.
The vessel reflects how ferry connections shaped daily life in this region, with locals depending on these routes for work and travel for generations. Walking through its spaces reveals how passengers and cars were accommodated together, showing how central this transportation method was to the community.
The vessel is moored at Färjestaden harbor and visitors can board to explore its different sections and learn about how it operated. Plan your visit for warmer months when weather is pleasant and the entire ship is accessible for touring.
The vessel was built to carry about 640 passengers and 30 vehicles at once, revealing how heavily this route was used by local communities. This high capacity shows just how vital regular ferry service was for people's daily movement and connections.
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