With more than 200 years of history, 58 locks, boats, stunningly beautiful landscapes, Swedish culture and traditions, culinary delights, exercise and relaxation, the Gota Canal is one of the most picturesque routes in Europe. The walking and cycling routes are free from cars, near the water, and present wonderful views. Driving along the canal is scenic, and there are many places to stop for refreshment along the way. The boat trip through the picturesque landscape is an unforgettable experience. The Göta Canal was one of the largest civil engineering projects ever undertaken in Sweden. The canal stretches from Sjötorp on Lake Vänern to the Baltic Sea. It has a length of 120 miles and a total of 58 locks. Of this distance 54 miles were dug by hand. Construction started in 1810 and was completed in 1932. The crew consisted of 58,000 conscripted soldiers, working 12 hour days, for a total of about 7 million effective days’ work. The cost was 12.3 billion Swedish crowns at 1995 prices, so 23 years later, think of the cost!
GÖTA CANAL
