On paper, the “big boat” pictured above has a real name: the Vasa. This ship has an interesting history behind it. It is a Swedish warship built in 1628. She was built upon the order of the King of Sweden, Gustavus Adolphus, for the war with Poland-Lithuania (1621–1629). Sadly, she sank on her maiden voyage roughly fourteen-hundred yards away from shore after a strong breeze overbore her. She laid there, down at the bottom of the sea, until she was salvaged in 1961. Thirty-three years later, in 1988, she was moved to the Vasa Museum where she still resides today. This museum is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Stockholm; and it has drawn over thirty-million visitors and counting. The Vasa is now a renowned symbol of the Swedish Empire.
A Group Picture At The Vasa Museum, “Home of The Big Boat”
My trip to the Vasa Museum was influenced by two factors: childhood nostalgia and a group activity with my friends—shown in the picture above. I first visited the museum as a twelve year-old. You can only imagine the awe I felt crash over me like a wave of pure euphoria. The next nine years, as I am twenty-one now, were filled with a yearning for a revisit. Two weeks ago, my wish came to fruition. I was lucky enough to share the star-stricken wonders of the ship with two of my friends here at DIS. We rejoiced in its history and its beauty. My friend said, “Just walking in, the dim lighting set the stage for us to witness something grandiose,” and I could not agree more. Furthermore, we appreciated the fact that there is one focal point of the museum, the ship. Unlike other museums that are packed with a plethora of exhibits, this one stands out in its singularity. This aspect is highlighted by its construction as the museum was literally built around the ship in every sense of the word.
A Front View of the Ship
Kyle Wolf
DIS Stockholm
Summer ‘22
One thought