Stockholm, page 1 of 6

Stockholm is the capital of Sweden and with over 2 million people in the metropolitan area is the largest city in Scandinavia.  It is reported to have had people living there a rather long time ago – perhaps the 6^th millennium BC but was founded as a city quite recently – well in the year 1252.  Our cruise ship took some time to cruise past many islands through narrow shipping channels.

So, here we are anchored very close to town with a short journey in the tender to the wharf pretty much in the centre of town.  What do we do after travelling for a long time on a ship – well, we get on a ferry that will take us over to see another ship named the Vasa that is on display in a museum.

Stockholm Vasa Museum, page 2 of 6

Outside the museum there is a garden that contains vegetables, medicinal herbs and flowers that were often grown in gardens in the 1600s.

In 1625 the Swedish king Gustav II Adolf decided to build the most powerful warship in the Baltic.  The ship was completed in August 1628 and weighed over 1200 tonnes, had 64 cannons and, what every warship needs, hundreds of sculptures.  Launch day was a very festive day with the quay packed with people and the crew were able to bring their families on board for a short cruise to an island in the harbour.

A gust of wind came across the ship causing it to lean just enough for water to pour in through the gun ports and within minutes the ship was on the bottom – at a depth of 32 metres.  The problem was that the upper part of the hull was too tall and heavily built for the relatively small amount of hull below the water.

Stockholm walk back, page 3 of 6

We decided to walk back to the centre of Stockholm along the fascinating waterfront lined with boats and restaurants and marching musicians.   

Every day between 23 April and 31 August the Royal Guards march from the Army Museum to the Royal Palace of Stockholm for the changing of the guard ceremony.  While they marched along the street we were walking along the footpath and felt compelled to walk in step with the music.