The Royal Ship Kronan - Kalmar läns museum

Kronan – 350 Years

Discover a world-class story

The Royal Ship Kronan was one of the most powerful warships in the Swedish navy during the 17th century. But on 1 June 1676, the ship capsized, exploded and sank off the coast of Öland. More than 800 people lost their lives.

In our exhibition, you are taken straight into this dramatic moment and invited to follow a fascinating journey through the story of the people on board and the remarkable finds from 40 years of marine archaeological excavations. Here, you can see Kronan’s two gold coin hoards — one of them the largest ever found in Sweden — as well as two of Sweden’s largest marine silver coin hoards. On the ground floor, more than 40 impressive bronze cannons are on display, recovered from the wreck since its discovery in 1980.

Welcome to discover one of the greatest maritime disasters in Swedish history and the treasures hidden beneath the sea for more than 300 years.

What happened to the Royal Ship Kronan in 1676?

On 1 June 1676, the Royal Ship Kronan exploded during the naval battle off the southern tip of Öland. More than 800 people lost their lives when the mighty warship sank. The disaster is regarded as one of the greatest catastrophes in Swedish maritime history.

Today, the wreck of Kronan is one of the richest archaeological wreck sites in the world and has been investigated through marine archaeology since the 1980s. The finds tell the story of life on board, the society of the Swedish Empire period, and the dramatic events of 1676.

 

Read more about the Royal Ship Kronan

The commemorative year continues throughout 2026.

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Facts about the Royal Ship Kronan

Year: Sank in 1676
Location: Off the southern tip of Öland
On board: More than 800 people
Event: Explosion and sinking

Byst av en klädd person med långt hår och orange mössa i dunkelt belyst utställning. Personen bär en röd jacka med knappar. Bakgrunden är mörk, med ett svagt upplyst blått objekt till höger.

Meet a man from the deep

The latest addition to the Kronan exhibition is the story of one of the crew members. In 1999, the remains of a crewman were found in the wreck, and through world-leading research we can now see his face and learn more about his origins.

Spridda guldmynt glittrar på en mörk yta. Mynten är slumpmässigt placerade, vilket skapar en visuell kontrast och framhäver deras detaljerade mönster och präglingar mot den jämna bakgrunden, vilket ger en känsla av antikens rikedom.

The Royal Ship Kronan’s world records

  • The largest gold coin hoard ever found in Sweden

  • One of the world’s largest marine silver hoards

  • The longest ongoing marine archaeological investigation in the world

  • The world’s largest closed find of bronze cannons

  • The largest warship built during the Swedish Empire period

Kronan in numbers

Armament

Cannons

Weight

Tons

Length

Feet

Crew

People

Dödskalle på ett museum visas under glas, omgiven av texter och artefakter. Besökare står runt och betraktar utställningen. Dämpad belysning skapar en seriös atmosfär, och informationstavlor förklarar föremålets historiska kontext.

Book a guided tour of the Kronan exhibition

Experience the story of the Royal Ship Kronan together with one of our knowledgeable guides. Follow the ship’s dramatic fate — from its grand construction during the Swedish Empire period to the unique discoveries recovered from the seabed. This is world-class marine archaeological history.

Read more and book

We are located in Kalmar

You’ll find the exhibition about the Royal Ship Kronan in the impressive Ångkvarnen building. Ångkvarnen is also home to Kalmar County Museum’s other exhibitions.