A Day of History

Stockholm harbor.
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Stockholm is the most incredibly beautiful place! It is unfortunate I only got to spend a day there...and sadly, that my experience of the city consisted of a short jaunt between museums. We went there strictly for educational purposes, and our time was limited, so we were thrown into and then systematically herded out of museums as quickly as possible.

The Vasamuseet (Vasa Museum) is Sweden’s most visited museum, dedicated to the last intact–and acclaimed ‘largest’--17^th century ship to be built. Admission was 80 SEK for adults and 40 SEK for university students/children (which is approximately $10 and $5 respectively). This was a surprise to me since the majority of museums are free in Sweden...which is wonderful if you are a history buff! The ship is absolutely HUGE and takes up the entirety of a 7 story building...and that is with its masts not completely intact! The carvings were amazing, and any boat-lover would have been drooling with glee the entire time.

"...any boat-lover would have been drooling with glee the entire time."

Me and the lion in the entrance to the Museum of National Antiquities in Stockholm.
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After this, we crossed the canal to the Historiska Museet (Museum of National Antiquities), where the admission was free. This museum was breath-taking! I started in the Gold Room, which was like having dessert before dinner. I could have spent days in that room and been completely content. It had the country’s most prized processions, including artifacts that you see slapped in just about every history book that involves Viking treasure...but sadly, cameras weren’t allowed for security purposes. I spent approximately a third of my time in that one room, which meant I had to rush through the rest of the museum...but I did see everything.

Image of the carving on the Vasa.
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There was a Viking exhibit which was equally lovely, but, one note to the wise: do NOT wear suntan lotion if you are going to enter the Viking exhibits! One of our group had slathered lotion all over herself before entering the room, and had to spend the entire time with neon blue patches and strips all over her body...she got some impressive stares from the locals!

There are also, prehistoric, Gothic, Christian art, and a textile chamber exhibits...which would take you a leisurely day to complete, or (like us) several rushed hours.

Also, avoid Swedish fast-food brands...they make hideous burgers!