The Göta Canal is one of Sweden's most popular attractions. It is ideal for an unforgettable canal trip across Sweden and for cycling on the car-free towpaths that run along the Göta Canal.

Photographer: Roland Steffen - Gear: FUJIFILM XH2. Pictures not to be used without my explicit permission.

The Göta Canal is often referred to as Sweden's blue ribbon. The 19th century canal connects Lake Vänern in western Sweden with Lake Vättern and ends - or begins, depending on how you look at it - on the east coast. In total, it stretches 190 kilometers from the town of Sjötorp to Mem. Today, the Göta Canal is one of Sweden's most popular tourist destinations.

With a length of 190 kilometers and a total of 58 locks, the Göta Canal is one of the largest construction projects in the history of Sweden. The Göta Canal stretches from Sjötorp on Lake Vänern to Mem on the Baltic Sea, and 87 kilometers of this stretch were dug by hand.

About the Göta Canal

Client: Baltzar von Platen

Construction period: 1810 - 1832

Inauguration: September 26, 1832

Construction costs: Nine million riksdaler

Personnel: 58 000 soldiers

Length of the canal: 190 km

Number of locks: 58

MS Wilhelm Tham - the second oldest ship

Just like the M/S Juno, the M/S Wilhelm Tham was built in the traditional Motala shipyard, but unlike the older M/S Juno it was completed in 1912. Today, the ship has a total of 25 cabins spread over three decks, offering space for about 50 passengers. The dining room and saloon are located on the intermediate deck (shelter deck). The so-called bridge deck with the covered quarterdeck offers a sheltered view of the passing Swedish landscape in any wind and weather.

Dug by 58 000 soldiers

Construction of the Göta Canal began in 1810, after King Charles XIII finally granted his building permit. The builder was Baltzar von Platen, who was assisted by Thomas Telford, one of the most important canal engineers in Europe. For the practical implementation of the project, a total of 58,000 Swedish soldiers from 16 regiments were deployed, who completed the construction in approximately 7 million 12-hour working days. For the most part, the canal was dug by hand with the help of tin-covered wooden spades. The total cost of the Göta Canal was nine million riksdaler, which is roughly equivalent to 15.2 billion Swedish kronor today.

Inauguration in 1832 in Mem

The Göta Canal was inaugurated on September 26, 1832, in the presence of the Swedish King Karl XIV Johan and his family in the Swedish village of Mem on the Baltic Sea. Baltzar von Platen unfortunately did not live to see the crowning of his life's work, as he died three years before its completion.

For day tourists also current passenger ships, such as the Bellevue, sail on the Göta Canal.

However, the majority of boats are private yachts that sail the Göta Canal from Götheburg to Stockholm or vice versa during the summer months.

Bergs Slussar

Sluice stairs on the Göta Canal in Berg

Bergs Slussar is the largest lock staircase (seven stairs!) on the Göta Canal and also one of the most famous technical structures in Sweden. The imposing, almost one kilometer long lock is a well-visited sight in the small village of Berg on Lake Roxen, about 10 kilometers north of Linköping.

At the water locks there are always charming, small restaurants that simply invite you to linger. As for example here in Hajstorp, Lyrestad. Here are also many cyclists on the road, because parallel to the channel is a well-developed bike path.

Everything reminds of the good old days in Sweden!