16th Century Shipwreck Found Off Sweden’s Coast During Military Exercise

A 16th-century shipwreck offering unique historical and archaeological insights has been found off Sweden’s southeastern coast. The unidentified vessel, believed to have been constructed in the late 1500s, predates Sweden’s renowned 17th-century warship “Vasa,” which was salvaged in the 1960s.

The wreck was discovered by the navy vessel HMS Belos during a military exercise in late 2025 in Kalmar Strait. Dendrochronological analysis of part of the wreckage indicates it was built in the late 1500s, according to the County Administrative Board in Kalmar.

“The shipwreck is of significant cultural historical value,” antiquarian Daniel Tedenlind stated. The site is currently under protection by the coast guard and has been designated a historic monument. No diving, fishing, or anchoring activities are permitted near the area.

The Baltic Sea’s unique combination of brackish water, cold, darkness, and low oxygen levels helps preserve many wooden shipwrecks in good condition. In February, unusually low sea levels revealed a Swedish Navy shipwreck buried underwater for 400 years in central Stockholm.

In July 2024, divers discovered a haul of champagne and wine on a shipwreck off Sweden’s coast. The government later declared the area off-limits. That same year, researchers exploring an ancient shipwreck found centuries-old artifacts, including a weapons chest and pieces of armor.