When I was around 6 or 7, I went on a school trip in Stockholm, to see The Vasa. Dressed in raincoats, hats and rubber boots, we walked on the scaffolding to see an old ship which was in the process of being preserved. For a first grader, it really didn’t mean very much. But as an adult, I realize how amazing the story of the ship is and I would like to share it with you.
It was a beautiful Thursday morning on August 10th, 1628 and in Stockholm’s harbour, crowds were gathered to watch the launch of The Vasa ship. Excitement was in the air; flags were flying and bugles sounding to celebrate this brand-new Swedish warship. It had taken two years to build as part of the military effort to support the war with Poland. Built on orders by King Gustaf II Adolf, The Vasa was one of the most powerfully armed ships in the world!
As she sailed out into the harbour, she was beautiful to look at, tall, with gorgeous colours and shining bronze cannons! But 1300 meters out, after a small gust of wind, the Vasa toppled over and started sinking, much to the horror of onlookers on shore. She sank to the bottom of the harbour and there she lay in the brackish waters for almost 350 years.
Some of her cannons were rescued, but then, she was forgotten and abandoned at the bottom of a Stockholm harbour. In the early 1950s, an amateur archaeologist started a very manual search of the harbour with hopes of locating this lost ship. After searching for almost 6 years, studying archives and collaborating with other experts, the ship was located. Coincidently, the king of Sweden at that time was another Gustaf Adolf, this time the sixth, and he took a keen interest in the recovery of the ship. She was brought out of those murky waters and after extensive restoration, she is now in her permanent home in the Vasa museum, https://www.vasamuseet.se/en If your client is visiting Stockholm, seeing this great warship is a must!
Stockholm will always have a special place in my heart, and I would love for your clients to experience this destination, including the Vasa ship. So, they can start dreaming and when they are ready to turn their dream into reality, we would be honoured to design your amazing Swedish adventure!
Thank you for being yoou