Braving Seas and Skies

The Vikings, famous seafarers who lived in Northern Europe
in the first half of the Middle Ages, were masters of shipbuilding. Since ships were indispensable for trade, conquests and exploration, it is understandable that Vikings treasured their ships as their most precious objects.

Viking ships were mainly built of oakwood. The most characteristic type were longships, which, as the name implies, were long, slender, light and easy to manoeuvre. In spite of the shallow draught they were safe to use on the seas too, not only on rivers. Vikings used them both for trade and for military purposes.

The Vikings used their longships in their predatory expeditions, during which they plundered the coasts of Europe. They also ventured across the Atlantic Ocean, discovering Greenland, and even reaching North America.

Keel

It was hewn from a single oak trunk,
thus providing the ship with great stability.

Carved stempost

Then the characteristic, curved, often perfectly symmetrical stempost and sternpost were added. These were often decorated with carved animal heads.

Viking settlement

These were typically founded
on the seashore, in protected
bays, as it was crucial to have
safe ports for sea trade.

Square sail

The ship usually had colourful square sails, often indicating the wealth of the owners.

According to the
most recent research,
medieval Viking
seafarers may have
relied on a special crystal
to navigate the seas. Thanks to this
property, Vikings were able to locate the Sun
on the sky even in overcast conditions, which were quite common in their homeland.