The museum is dedicated to the legendary warship Vasa, which sank on its maiden voyage in 1628 and was raised from the seabed in 1961.

This huge ship, built for King Gustav II Adolf, was supposed to be the pride of Sweden, but its tragic wreck occurred just 20 minutes after setting out to sea.

Historical background. Gustav II Adolf (1594–1632) was the King of Sweden from 1611, one of the country’s most famous monarchs and a great military leader, known as the “Lion of the North”. He played a key role in the Thirty Years’ War (1618–1648), where Sweden sided with the Protestants against the Catholic powers. His reign is considered the golden age of Swedish military and political power.

The ship itself is a true work of art. With its majestic sculptures and incredible details, the Vasa was the largest and heaviest warship of its time. It is definitely a place that belongs on the list of “What to see in Sweden”.

Inside the museum are not only the ship itself and its parts, but also numerous exhibits related to the history of its creation and tragedy. By the way, the Vasa has been preserved in amazingly good condition, despite lying on the bottom for 333 years. This fact alone is definitely worth visiting the museum!