Page 16 - DK Eyewitness Travel Guides - The World's Must-See Places

14 EUROPE Vasa Museum, Stockholm

Sweden's most popular museum enshrines the royal warship Vasa,
Y lion Figurehead
King Gustav II Adolf, who commissioned Vasa, was which capsized on its maiden voyage of just 4,265 ft (1 ,300 m) in
known as the Lion of the North, so a springing lion was
the obvious choice for the 13-ft (4-m) figurehead. calm weather, on August 10, 1628, in Stockholm's harbor. About
50 people went down with what was designed to be the pride
of the Swedish Navy. Guns were all that was salvaged from the Rewnstru<ted
vessel during the 17th century, and it was not until1956 rigging
that a marine archeologist's persistent search led to
the rediscovery of Vasa. After a complex salvage
operation, followed by a 17 -year conservation
program, the Vasa Museum was opened in
June 1990, less than a nautical mile from
the scene of the dis aster.

gJ lion
figurehead

-< Bronze Cannon

-< Emperor Titus
Carvings of 20 Roman
emperors stand on
parade on Vasa.

gJ Bronze Cannon
More than 50 of Vasa's 64 original
cannons were salvaged during
the 17th century. Three 24-lb
(11-kg) bronze cannons are now
on display in the museum.
A Upper Gun De<k
Visitors cannot enter the warship itself,
but a full-size replica of the upper gun
deck, with carved wooden dummies of
sailors, is on view, giving a good idea of
conditions on board.