One of the most leisurely ways of sampling the country’s history is by crossing Sweden by the Göta Canal between Stockholm and Gothenburg.
Kings and industrialists alike spent centuries pondering how to link inland Sweden’s lakes and rivers, from Stockholm on the east coast to Gothenburg on the west coast, before Baltzar von Platen succeeded in early 19th century.
At the time, the country needed this new east-west artery to transport timber, iron and food, and to build up local industry. For 22 years, 59,000 soldiers labored to build the 190km (118 mile) long Göta Kanal. The canal was designated an ‘International Historic Civil Engineering Landmark”, giving it the same status as the Golden Gate Bridge and the Panama Canal, and in 2007 was officially recognized as Sweden’s greatest feat of engineering. Today, there is no commercial traffic on the canal, but there are plenty of pleasure craft!
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For the visitor, the classic way is to take a cruise between Stockholm and Gothenburg on one of the vintage vessels operated by the Göta Kanal Rederaktiebolaget (Göta Kanal Steamship Company). The oldest of the three vessels is M/S Juno, built in 1874.
The four-day cruise westbound starts from Stockholm, finishing the first day at the village of Trosa. On the second day the boat passes through Mem, where the canal was officially inaugurated in 1832, before reaching Berg, where’s time to visit the historic monastery church at nearby Vreta, once the richest religious establishment in Sweden.
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The route crosses two picturesque lakes, Asdplånen and Roxen, where there are ospreys and herons during the breeding season. The canal then takes you through 15 locks in 3 km (2 miles), lifting you 37 meters (120ft). The next night is spent at Motala, a town founded by Baltzar von Platen.
On the third morning the boat crosses Lake Vättern to Karlsborg, site of a huge fortress, and Forsvik, an old metalworking village and the site of the canal’s oldest lock, built in 1813. Here, the boat is often greeted by a local family singing hymns and offering passengers wild flowers. This 100-year-old custom originated as a blessing for passengers as they embarked on the once hazardous crossing of Vättern. In the evening the boat reaches Sjötorp, marking the beginning of Lake Vänern.
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At the south side of Lake Vänern, the boat enters the gorge at Trollhättan, for the last day of the voyage down the Göte River to Gothenburg.
It’s all very leisurely, but if you prefer to take a more hands on approach, how about chartering your own motor boat? It’s also possible to hire a canoe and paddle along the waterway – several companies offer a pick-up service so you don’t have to retrace your route. For landlubbers, the Göta Kanal is Sweden’s most popular cycling path.
For all these forms of do-it-yourself transport, you find more information here.
Crossing Sweden by Canal, written by Tor Kjolberg.
Feature image (on top) Photo by Visit Sweden.