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Incredible Historical Discovery in Sweden Reveals How the King Transported Giant 30-Ton Ships Over Land in the 18th Century

Written by Roberta Souza
Published on 08/01/2025 at 21:07
suécia - curiosidades - rei - rota - mundo
Foto/reprodução: Divulgação
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Archeologists Reveal Vestiges of the Ancient Route of Galärvegen, Used by King Charles XII in the 18th Century in Sweden!

Recently, a team of archeologists from the Norwegian Institute for Cultural Heritage Research (NIKU) made a discovery that promises to change the way we understand the military history of Sweden: vestiges of the ancient route of Galärvegen, used by King Charles XVIII in a bold military operation in the early 18th century.

The Importance of Galärvegen

Located in the area of Blomsholm, in the province of Bohuslän, the Galärvegen was crucial for the transport of galleys — war vessels — in 1718.

This discovery comes at a time when historians are seeking to better understand the tactical movements of the king, who stood out for his innovative strategies during the Great Northern War, according to the website aventurasnahistória.

The Bold Operation of 1718

In an audacious act in 1718, King Charles XII decided to move twelve large warships — each weighing up to 30 tons — over land, from Strömstad to Iddefjorden.

This operation, known as Galärvegen or “Road of the Galleys“, aimed to surprise the Fortress of Fredriksten in Halden, in Norway.

sweden - curiosities - king - route - world
Photo/reproduction: Disclosure

The king believed that by moving his ships over land, he could bypass the blockade at the fjord entrance and launch a surprise attack directly from the sea.

The Logistics Behind the Operation

About 800 soldiers participated in this impressive task, which involved moving the galleys over 25 kilometers.

To do this, they used pulleys, winches, blocks, horses, and greased logs.

The complexity of this operation highlights the skill and effort of those involved, who accomplished a monumental task for the time.

Modern Technology and Surprising Discoveries

The discovery of Galärvegen was made in collaboration with the Bohusläns Museum, the Institute of Archaeological Sciences in Vienna (VIAS), and Arkeologerna.

sweden - curiosities - king - route - world
Photo/reproduction: Disclosure/NIKU/Jani Causevic

During a ground-penetrating radar project in December, researchers were initially looking for signs of prehistoric settlements but ended up revealing straight and parallel structures indicating the use of wooden logs to stabilize the ground.

The Use of Georadar AutoMIRA

The new AutoMIRA georadar system, developed in partnership with AutoAgri, allowed researchers to quickly cover an area of 8.5 hectares in just three days.

This resulted in clear and detailed data that was crucial for identifying the ancient route.

Historical Implications and Future Research in Sweden

“The discovery of Galärvegen allows us to combine historical sources with modern technology to explore and share significant parts of our cultural heritage”, stated Roger Nyqvist from the Bohusläns Museum.

In addition to Galärvegen, the research also revealed prehistoric graves and indications that the site served as a hospital during Charles XII’s campaign, being a burial ground for several soldiers.

Experts continue to analyze the collected data, seeking to uncover more about the hidden historical sites and deepen the knowledge of Sweden’s rich history and the world.

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Lucia Pinheiro
Lucia Pinheiro
10/01/2025 11:55

Gosto imensamente desse tipo de artigo, sobre História e Ciências. Queria que o Google enviasse posts só sobre esses assuntos.

americolouzada@gmail.com
americolouzada@gmail.com
09/01/2025 09:11

Afinal deu certo a ideia do rei?

Roberta Souza

Autora no portal Click Petróleo e Gás desde 2019, responsável pela publicação de mais de 8.000 matérias que somam milhões de acessos, unindo técnica, clareza e engajamento para informar e conectar leitores. Engenheira de Petróleo e pós-graduada em Comissionamento de Unidades Industriais, também trago experiência prática e vivência no setor do agronegócio, o que amplia minha visão e versatilidade na produção de conteúdo especializado. Desenvolvo pautas, divulgo oportunidades de emprego e crio materiais publicitários direcionados para o público do setor. Para sugestões de pauta, divulgação de vagas ou propostas de publicidade, entre em contato pelo e-mail: santizatagpc@gmail.com. Não recebemos currículos

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