The Maritime Museum in Stockholm’s Ladugårdsgärde was inaugurated on 28 May 1938. Its opening marked the end of forty years’ discussions about a museum of naval history in Stockholm.

The collections belonging to the Föreningen Sveriges Sjöfart (the Association of Swedish Maritime Activities) were finally given a permanent address. They had been moved around for years, and had been exhibited at the now defunct Maritime Museum on Skeppsbron, among other locations.

The state collections of naval warfare history also received a new home at the museum. These collections, which included weapons and models of ships, had most recently been shown at the world fair held immediately next to the newly built museum.

The Maritime Museum – definitely not Functionalism

Three hand picked architects had presented proposals for the building. They were Ragnar Hjort, Cyrillus Johansson and Ragnar Östberg.

• The proposals had to take four points into account:
• The museum had to be designed with a pillar structure.
• All the warship models had to fit inside.
• The stern and cabin of Gustaf III’s schooner yacht, Amphion, had to feature in a dignified way.
• It must not be Functionalist in style.

The fourth point was added by the donors, Knut and Alice Wallenberg, themselves. Had it not been for that point, the Maritime Museum would probably have looked very different. Initially there were many indications that Ragnar Hjort’s proposal would win – until it was pointed out that it didn’t observe the ban on Functionalism.

Instead it was Ragnar Östberg’s proposal that won. His design was in the classicist style, with Gustavian inspiration. Nevertheless it also has traces of Functionalism, with simplicity and light, uncluttered surfaces.

A landmark of the cityscape

With the Maritime Museum, Ragnar Östberg was able to anchor his architecture firmly in Stockholm, both literally and figuratively. Look at a map of the city and you will discover that the Maritime Museum forms an anchor with City Hall, another of his designs. The curving wings of the Maritime Museum are the arms of the anchor. City Hall is the anchor ring.

With its slightly curved shape, the museum is also reminiscent of a ship. At sea, rounded forms are stronger than angled ones.