Vasamuseet

The Vasa ship

Joseph Hollick

The Vasamuseet is so cracked up that it seems inevitable that it should be hype - but it is nothing of the sort.

This museum was erected to house the Vasa, a ship built at the orders of Gustavus Adolphus in 1628 to be the largest and finest warship in the world, which was apparently unbalanced and sank on her maiden voyage. The story of the raising of the ship and the work to restore her to her original glory is depicted alongside the vessel and there are interesting displays on life at sea and other matters.

However it is the ship itself which will hold your gaze - and photography is allowed. It is magnificent and the carving is awesome. The museum is well equipped with lifts that allow everybody to see the Vasa at various levels.