In 1628, on its maiden voyage and in front of thousands of horrified onlookers, the Royal Warship Vasa capsized and sank almost instantly to the bottom of Stockholm harbor. In a feat that was an engineering triumph, it was salvaged in 1961. On board were found more than 4,000 coins, carpenter's tools, sailor's pants (in a color known as Lübeck gray), fish bones, and other items of archaeological interest. Best of all, 97% of the ship's 700 original sculptures were found. Carefully restored and impregnated with preservatives, they are now back aboard the ship, which looks stunning now that it once again carries its grotesque faces, lion masks, fish-shaped bodies, and other carvings, some still covered with the original paint and gilt.

A full-scale model of half of the Vasa's upper gun deck has been rebuilt, together with the admiral's cabin and the steering compartment. Several carved wooden figures represent the crew. By walking through the "gun deck" and the exhibit of original objects (including medical equipment, preserved clothes, and a backgammon board) you can get an idea of everyday life aboard the ship.

Another exhibit tells the story of naval warfare in the Vasa's (brief) heyday. A diorama shows a battle fought by the Swedish and Polish navies in 1627. The ships, sculpted in copper, are positioned on a large cupola. Inside the cupola a film illustrates the horrors of war at sea.