Stockholm: Power and disasters

In the 17th century, under the reign of Sweden’s most famous king abroad, Gustav II Adolph (1611-1632), during the period of the renowned Thirty Years' War, Sweden emerged as a major military and political power. At that time, Sweden expanded its territory in the Baltic and Central Europe, thereby consolidating its influence in European affairs. In Stockholm, the nerve center of this Swedish empire, several major buildings were constructed, further enhancing its role as the capital and symbol of Swedish power. Gustav II Adolph thus ordered the construction of the Tre Kronor (Three Crowns) castle in 1611, which would serve as a royal residence and an emblem of Swedish grandeur.
A few years later, in 1626, he commissioned the construction of a powerful warship, the Vasa, to bolster Sweden’s military position in both maritime and land conflicts. Unfortunately, both of these constructions met a tragic fate: the Three Crowns castle was almost entirely destroyed by a fire on the night of May 7, 1697, and the Vasa sank just off the coast of Stockholm in 1628 after a brief 20-minute maiden voyage. This shipwreck, which occurred in the port of Stockholm, was one of the greatest naval disasters in Swedish history. Although the ship was later salvaged and restored and the castle was rebuilt, these disasters illustrate the era’s overreaching ambition and also reflect the resilience and ability of the city to overcome challenges over the centuries.
In summary, Stockholm is a city where power and catastrophe intertwine in a narrative that blends historical splendor with lessons learned from past disasters.

Our tour begins in Gamla Stan, Stockholm's Old Town, a maze of cobblestone streets and historic buildings that tell the city’s story from its origins in the 13th century. The Royal Palace, a royal residence that has witnessed many significant events, still stands on the same site as the Three Crowns castle, which was destroyed by fire in 1697. Designed in the Baroque style, it was completed in 1754 to house the Swedish monarchs, who lived there until 1982.
After this immersion into Stockholm’s medieval and modern history, we will head to the Vasa Museum, a fascinating place offering an in-depth perspective on another major disaster associated with Gustav II Adolph. The Vasa Museum now houses the nearly intact ship, providing a unique insight into the past and the era’s overreaching ambitions.

The tour includes a visit to the Royal Palace, a boat ticket to reach Djurgården Island, and admission to the Vasa Museum.