The world’s largest ocean-going wooden sailing ship will be open for public viewing when it makes a stopover in Gibraltar between 6 and 10 April.
The Götheborg of Sweden is an 18th century replica of the original Swedish East India Company ship that sank outside Gothenburg in 1745. It is currently on an exhibition sailing around Europe, with Gibraltar being the second stopover in 2023 after Sète in the south of France. In June it will be back in Sweden as part of celebrations to mark the 400-year jubilee of the city of Gothenburg.
The ship has become a hugely popular visitor attraction during stopovers, and paying deckhands are invited to sail on board between ports.
The Götheborg of Sweden is due to arrive in Gibraltar at noon on 6 April, and it will be moored at the Mid Harbour Marina.
Visitors will have the opportunity to learn about the history of the Swedish East India Company, the adventures of the original Götheborg (which sailed three times to Asia) and the art of shipbuilding, hear modern tales of sailing an 18th century ship, and sense first-hand the ship’s authentically historic atmosphere.
On board there will be a tour of the weather deck with its helm, capstan and ship’s bell, the sundeck (which offers views of the ship and masts) and 10 impressive cannons on the gun deck. There are also two pieces from the original ship: one by the historical cupboard with porcelain and chalk pipes on the gun deck, and the other recessed into the helm.
Station guiding is available on board when in port, which means that visitors can follow a marked route around the ship, and deckhands are stationed in different places ready to provide information about the ship, sailing on board and the 2023 European Tour. All written information on board is in English, and the visit takes about 45 minutes to an hour.
Opening hours in Gibraltar are:
6 April: 2pm-8pm (last entry 7.15 pm)
7 April: 10 am-2 pm (last entry 1.15 pm)
8 April: 10 am-1pm (last entry 12.15 pm) and 4 pm-7 pm (last entry 6.15 pm)
9 April: 10 am-2 pm (last entry 1.15 pm)
10 April: 10am-3pm (last entry 2 pm)
Tickets cost £10 for adults and £5 for children five to 16 years of age (free up to four years), and they can be booked here. They are also sold at the ship, subject to availability.
Main photo: Peder Jacobsson
Other photos: Svenska Ostindiska Companiet