Gota Canal, Small Ship Travel Across Sweden
Small Historic Ships Sail Through History, Across Time and Water
Feb 5, 2009
Starting with a visit to the ancient Hansa port of Goteberg, a trip along the Gota Canal is an experience in travel like few others. The first experience is the ship itself, a real chance to step back in time to the end of the 19th century. Then there are the locks, engineering feats that amaze as the vessels travels over hills. Passengers pass through the present as cargo barges and ships go by but also through the past with visits to sites that recede centuries into the past.
Trollhatte Locks
The dramatic Trollhatte locks raise ships more than 100 feet through cliff lined cuts. Improvements over time have left remnants from the original locks. Bordering the old locks a walking path from 1800 skirts a deep narrow canyon that was replaced by later locks. Lock flights built at different times are a visual history of lock engineering.
Trollhatte Canal Museum
Located at the site of the locks, this museum tells the tale of the creation of the canal and the obstacles, work and hardships that they overcame. Kings and queens, Hans Christian Anderson and Hendrik Ibsen all traveled on these same small ships that carry overnight passengers today. In the museum the guest book lies open to the signature of king Gustav IV Adolph, who crossed in 1801. The informative film is available in English and a handy brochure is available that translates the museum’s signs and labels. Visitors learn about canal history and how it was constructed through displays of artifacts, models of the lock system and of ships that have plied it. A sense of time comes from the writings of famous people who traveled the canal.
Lake Vanern
Lake Vanern is Europe’s third largest lake and contains the continent’s largest inland archipelago and it forms an integral part of the route. Sailing across it the ship passes large cargo ships, barges and other craft. Along the route Lacko Castle, rises impressively from the lakeshore. It was built in 1298 and rebuilt in the 17th century as a baroque palace.
Tatorp and Forsvik
From Gota to Sjotorp, on eastern shore of Lake Vanern, the canal route is either in the river or the lake but from Sjotorp the path is a manmade waterway. At Tatorp the last remaining hand-operated lock is still in use. Forsvik boasts the oldest house and the oldest lock on the canal. One of the great experiences of the trip occurs here. It is a tradition here that a family of singers comes to serenade passengers on each canal steamer with folk songs and hymns as it passes the locks. At nearby Rogstorp Bridge is a rune stone with animal designs.
Vadstena
At the eastern side of Lake Vattern, lies the attractive medieval town of Vadstena with a castle dominating the canal bank. The boat stops here and it is fun to wander the narrow streets lined with tiny houses to the ancient abbey and convent founded by St Birgitta. The church is noted for several Medieval works of art.
Berg
The remains of the 12th century Vreta Cloister abbey rises across a meadow from the canal at Berg. Sweden’s oldest, its stone church is intact, and gardens have been planted in the adjoining ruins. Berg has the most impressive staircase of locks in one of the most scenic spots on the canal. A with a cluster of fine old buildings and cafes lies alongside its waters.
Soderkoping
Soderkoping was an important city of the Hanseatic League. The city has carefully preserved its medieval back streets . The 13th-century brick church of St Laurentii is in Baltic Gothic style with stair-stepped gable ends and an unusual free-standing timber bell tower. A second medieval church is close by. Stop at the café on the canal for its ice cream, a favorite of locals.
Motala Motormuseum
This is one of the most fascinating collections of motor vehicles around. If it ran on two or four wheels, it’s probably here. The amazing collection of historic automobiles and motorized vehicles includes one belonging to Maurice Chevalier and another to the King of Sweden. The ship will arrange a tour for passengers
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