The foundation of this site rests upon a significant gesture by a shipping magnate named Dan Broström. In 1918, his company donated one million kronor specifically for the construction and maintenance of a maritime museum. To honor this vision, the city of Göteborg provided the land in Gamla Varvsparken.
While the death of Broström in 1925 caused a temporary pause, the pursuit of this goal remained steady. Progress resumed after architect Karl Magnus Bengtson presented a revised design in 1928. Construction took place between 1931 and 1933, leading to the official inauguration in 1933. This period also saw the dedication of the Sjömanstornet memorial nearby.
Today, the site functions as Sjöfartsmuseet Akvariet, where you can investigate the relationship between humans and the sea through historical and technical exhibitions. The aquarium features tropical and cold-water sections. Following a major expansion, the museum reopened in December 2022 with a new underground aquarium building and a new entrance facing Karl Johansgatan.
We encourage you to explore the marine environment and various aquatic life forms. This dedication to exploration earned the museum the award Årets museum 2024 by Svenska ICOM.
Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons
Written by Nik Frost
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