In the early 17th century, Sweden was busy building an empire around the Baltic Sea in northern Europe. A strong navy was essential. During the 1620s Sweden was at war with Poland and in 1625 the Swedish king Gustavus Adolphus ordered several new warships.
Among them was the Royal warship Vasa, a fabulous ship with a remarkably story. Built in record time during burning war the intention was to scare and impress the enemy. Something went terrible wrong at its maidens voyage and the ship was lost 1628, but salvages in 1961. It was hidden under the fresh water mud in Stockholm only 30 meters beneath the surface for 333 years. The fresh water and the mud had kept the ship amazingly intact. The ship and all the finds were preserved - an effort of gigantic proportions.
The Vasa is the biggest single object that has ever been preserved. The Vasa Museum is the most visited museum in Scandinavia and is located at Djurgården, one of the many islands in central Stockholm.
