The Vasa

The Vasa was a grand Swedish warship built in the early 17th century, designed to display Sweden's maritime power. However, it famously sank just minutes into its maiden voyage in 1628 due to design flaws—specifically, it was too top-heavy and couldn't handle the strong winds. The ship tilted and went down near Stockholm, nearly intact. It was salvaged in the 20th century, providing valuable insights into shipbuilding of that era. Today, the Vasa is preserved as a museum, offering visitors a rare glimpse into 17th-century naval architecture and history.