If you think Sweden’s greatest treasures are its cuisine (delicious!) and its furniture (outstanding!) think again. This nation is full of surprises divers are just now beginning to discover. One recent expedition to the bottom of Sweden’s largest lake uncovered something truly astonishing: A 20-meter long Viking ship – the first of its kind to be discovered underwater rather than on dry land.
Sweden’s Largest Lake Holds Many Treasures
Vanern is Sweden’s largest lake as well as the largest lake in the European Union. After Ladoga and Onega, both of which are located in Russia, Vanern is the third largest lake in all of Europe. With a surface area covering 5,650 square kilometers, it is almost like a small inland ocean; but with maximum depth at 106 meters and average depth at just 27 meters, it offers easy accessibility and plenty of excellent diving. Whether you stick to the lake’s perimeter or take a cruise out to the Djuro archipelago located in the center of the lake, what you’ll find beneath the surface is certain to amaze you.
One of the most-discussed sites is the wreck of a ship believed by many to have belonged to Vikings. The ship’s ribs are still intact, though they are covered in sediment, and teams surveying the wreck located artifacts nearby, including a sword and a spear – both of which are similar to others from the Viking era.
There are many other historic shipwrecks that lie just beneath the surface of this beautiful lake. One particularly well-preserved wreck is believed to be from the medieval era; it is located near Naven lighthouse at a depth of just 12 meters. Another is the Slatteskar – a wooden steamship that dates back to the 19th century. Lost in 1904, this wreck lies at a depth of 20 meters and is remarkably intact; in fact, its hull and deck are still in excellent condition thanks to the preservative power of the ice-cold water.
One particularly ghostly wreck is the Sture; this steel steamship now sits beneath 27 meters of water. Lost in 1935 and discovered by fishermen during the 1980s, this popular dive site looks almost as if the crew abandoned ship just a short time ago. Many deck fittings are still intact, and in the galley, pot lids and other artifacts still hang from the bulkheads.
While shipwrecks are the main attraction for divers visiting Lake Vanern, the lake’s rock formations are of geological interest, and the aquatic life is abundant and healthy. While you’re exploring this vast, icy lake, keep an eye out for smelt, vendace, whitefish, eels, and two different varieties of salmon that are endemic to the lake. Some of these salmon are enormous, weighing in at about 20 kilograms apiece.
You’ll find that cities and towns surrounding Lake Vanern are diver-friendly; you’ll discover many intriguing sights to keep you occupied during surface intervals too, including a number of museums and historic sites that feature Viking artifacts and many other treasures. Bring your drysuit, a powerful light, and a camera, and prepare yourself to be amazed.