Stockholm, Sweden
Today: Stockholm—a city built on 14 islands. An early breakfast allowed us to take a beautiful Zodiac ride in glorious weather through the Djurgarden Canal to reach the Endeavour which was docked at Gamle Staden, the most historic part of Stockholm. Joggers, strollers, and rowers were enjoying some exercise along this chestnut tree and birch-lined waterway. As we entered the main harbor, we could see Strandvagen, a large front street with expensive residences. This was originally just a facade put up for the 1898 World’s Fair, but the Stockholmers liked it so much that it has been retained.
After a short stop at the Endeavour, we then broke into small groups for a walking tour of the city. Among the sights visited were the Royal Palace, the Treasury, and the Storkyrkan Cathedral, where the famous gilded oak statue of St. George slaying the Dragon is located.
In the afternoon, a short Zodiac ride took us to the remarkable Vasa Museum. Back in 1625, King Gustavus II Adolphus signed a contract with shipbuilder Henrik Hybertsson to built a magnificent fighting ship. Over the next three years, 400 men are put to the task of building the Vasa. More than 1,000 oaks were felled for the project. It turned out to be the most expensive and richly ornamented naval vessel built in Sweden at that time. In August of 1628, with proud Stockholmers lining the shore to wish her good luck, the ship set off on her maiden voyage. Sadly, after only a short distance, the ship capsized, and sank in the harbor. Apparently, there was not enough ballast for such a tall ship.
After more than three centuries, the Vasa was discovered in 1956 buried in the harbor bottom mud. Amazingly, it was mostly intact. The ship was salvaged and restored over a twenty-year period, and a special building constructed to house this incredible relict from the past.
Today: Stockholm—a city built on 14 islands. An early breakfast allowed us to take a beautiful Zodiac ride in glorious weather through the Djurgarden Canal to reach the Endeavour which was docked at Gamle Staden, the most historic part of Stockholm. Joggers, strollers, and rowers were enjoying some exercise along this chestnut tree and birch-lined waterway. As we entered the main harbor, we could see Strandvagen, a large front street with expensive residences. This was originally just a facade put up for the 1898 World’s Fair, but the Stockholmers liked it so much that it has been retained.
After a short stop at the Endeavour, we then broke into small groups for a walking tour of the city. Among the sights visited were the Royal Palace, the Treasury, and the Storkyrkan Cathedral, where the famous gilded oak statue of St. George slaying the Dragon is located.
In the afternoon, a short Zodiac ride took us to the remarkable Vasa Museum. Back in 1625, King Gustavus II Adolphus signed a contract with shipbuilder Henrik Hybertsson to built a magnificent fighting ship. Over the next three years, 400 men are put to the task of building the Vasa. More than 1,000 oaks were felled for the project. It turned out to be the most expensive and richly ornamented naval vessel built in Sweden at that time. In August of 1628, with proud Stockholmers lining the shore to wish her good luck, the ship set off on her maiden voyage. Sadly, after only a short distance, the ship capsized, and sank in the harbor. Apparently, there was not enough ballast for such a tall ship.
After more than three centuries, the Vasa was discovered in 1956 buried in the harbor bottom mud. Amazingly, it was mostly intact. The ship was salvaged and restored over a twenty-year period, and a special building constructed to house this incredible relict from the past.
