Kalmar County Museum – the royal ship Kronan and other historical treasures

Writer: Helena Bergström

Updated: October 2026 | There is something very special about seeing objects that have been on the bottom of the sea for hundreds of years. Shoes, clothes, jewelry and everyday things that once belonged to people of flesh and blood. At Kalmar County Museum you get unusually close to history, not least through the fascinating exhibition about the royal ship Kronan, which sank off Öland in 1676.

It was primarily the Crown that attracted us to the museum, but we also discovered several other exciting exhibitions. Here you will find stories about dramatic events, archaeological mysteries, and people who left their mark on Swedish cultural history.

The Royal Ship Kronan – one of Sweden's biggest shipping disasters

On June 1, 1676, the Swedish royal ship Kronan participated in a naval battle against a Danish-Dutch fleet off the eastern coast of Öland. Kronan was one of the largest and most powerful warships of its time and had been launched just eight years earlier, in 1668.

During the battle, the Kronan made a turn, but something went terribly wrong. The ship capsized, and shortly afterwards the gunpowder magazine exploded. The enormous ship sank to the bottom, taking most of the crew with it. There were about 850 people on board, and only about forty survived.

Exactly why the disaster occurred has been debated by historians. A common explanation is that the ship turned with too much sail set and that the gun ports on the lower battery deck were open, allowing water to flow in when the ship heeled. The sinking of Kronan became one of the greatest disasters in the history of the Swedish navy.

The crown was rediscovered after more than 300 years

For over 300 years, the wreck of the Kronan lay on the seabed off Öland. It was not until 1980 that the wreck site was rediscovered, after a long search by, among others, wreck researcher Anders Franzén.

Since then, marine archaeologists have conducted extensive surveys and salvaged tens of thousands of objects. The findings have given researchers a unique opportunity to study life aboard a Swedish naval ship during the great power era.

In fact, as early as the 17th century, a large number of the ship's cannons were salvaged using diving bells. Modern investigations have recovered another forty bronze cannons, along with a host of other objects.

Amazing finds from the 17th century

This was the part of the museum that we found most fascinating. It's one thing to read about the 17th century in a history book, but quite another to stand in front of clothes and objects that were actually used by people 350 years ago.

Among the finds from Kronan are shoes, textiles, jewelry, coins, household utensils, tools and much more. Several objects are surprisingly well preserved thanks to the conditions on the seabed.

We were particularly drawn to the clothes, including an old jacket that seemed to have told a whole life story. Who had worn it? What was life like on board? And what were the people thinking during the last dramatic minutes before the ship sank?

It is precisely such thoughts that make the exhibition so moving. Behind the great historical events there are always individual people with their own stories.

Cannons, coin treasures and new discoveries

The Kronan exhibition also contains many impressive finds that tell the story of the ship's military importance and the wealth that was on board. Among other things, large treasures of gold and silver coins have been found. The museum displays two gold coin hoards, one of which is Sweden's largest of its kind, as well as two very extensive marine silver coin hoards.

The salvaged bronze cannons are also impressive. Several of them are displayed on the museum's entrance floor, while the Crown Exhibition itself is located higher up in the building.

Research continues to provide new perspectives on the disaster. By combining archaeological findings with modern technology, researchers have been able to reconstruct the face of one of the crew members whose remains were found at the wreckage site, making the people behind the story even more present.

In 2026, Kalmar County Museum will mark 350 years since the sinking of the Kronan, with special activities and lectures.

Sandby Castle and Öland's mysterious ancient castles

Another part of the museum that caught our attention was Sandby Castle on Öland. Here, archaeologists have made astonishing finds that testify to a violent event during the Migration Period, around 1,500 years ago.

In the castle, remains of people who were killed and then left lying where they fell have been found. Many questions remain unanswered. Who were the attackers? Why did the massacre occur? And why does no one seem to have returned to bury the dead?

When we visited the museum, we were fascinated by the story of Sandby Castle. Today, the museum has developed the theme further in the multi-year exhibition series. Citizens' Island, where visitors can learn more about the ancient Iron Age forts, the people who lived there and the research that is underway.

During 2026–2027, the focus will be on the people behind the castles: how they were built, what everyday life was like, and what resources and knowledge were required to create these impressive facilities.

We have also visited several of Öland's ancient castles on the island, and it is fascinating to connect the real places with the objects and stories in the museum.

READ MORE: Fornborgar på Öland - 5 castles you don't want to miss!

Jenny Nyström – much more than elves

At Kalmar County Museum there is also a permanent exhibition about the artist and illustrator Jenny Nyström, who was born in Kalmar in 1854.

Most people probably associate Jenny Nyström with her beloved Christmas pictures and elves, but she was a much more versatile artist than that. She trained at the Royal Swedish Academy of Fine Arts and also studied in Paris. During her long career, she created portraits, paintings, book illustrations, and images for magazines and postcards.

It was interesting to see more sides of her artistry. The exhibition gives a broader picture of the woman behind the familiar Christmas motifs and shows the importance she had for Swedish visual culture.

More exhibitions at Kalmar County Museum

Kalmar County Museum also has other exhibitions and activities that vary over time. When we were here, there were exhibitions about the artist Rugstorparn, the Cold War, and Pippi Longstocking's 75th anniversary.

Some of these were temporary and are no longer on display, but the museum has an ongoing program of new exhibitions, lectures, city walks and family activities.

For children there is, among other things, the play exhibition The Super Crown, where you can discover history through play and imagination.

Discover more of Kalmar

Kalmar County Museum is just one of many attractions in Kalmar. During a visit to the city, we also recommend discovering Kalmar Castle, strolling through the Old Town and exploring the historic quarters on Kvarnholmen.

READ MORE: Things to do in Kalmar – tips on attractions and experiences