Draken Harald Harfagre
‘Explore The Largest Operating Viking Ship In The World In Philly!’
The Draken Harald Hårfagre, a Norweigian Viking Ship which is the largest in the world, sails into Philadelphia at the Penn’s Landing Marina August 31 and departs late September 6!
The Draken Village pops-up in Philadelphia during Expedition America: East Coast Tour 2018. This stop-over promises visitors an engaging look at the modern-day Viking spirit. Gusts can tour the ship, interact with the crew, explore the free photo and video exhibition, and more.
The crew on board Draken is a team of 34 people, men and women from all over the world. A mix of age, gender, nationality and background all contribute to a great atmosphere on board.
Life on-board the Draken isn’t easy. Crews sleep on tents made on the deck and when it rains, you get wet. The same is true for Captain Bjorn Ahlander. For more information about the crew, click here.
History of the Draken Harald Hårfagre
In 2008 the building of Draken Harald Hårfagre was initiated by the Norwegian entrepreneur Sigurd Aase. Being a man with a strong mind he persuaded the most reputable ship builders and historians in Scandinavia to start the project of creating a really seaworthy Viking ship, much larger than the ones found in excavations.
It all started with a strong interest in history and led to construction of the largest Viking ship ever built in modern times. Its initial journey mimicked that of Leif Eriksson, the Viking who was the first known European to set foot on North America. Eriksson landed around the year 1000 in Newfoundland in Canada.
In March of 2010, construction began on what would be the largest Viking ship ever built in modern times, which took two years to build. Named after Harald Hårfagre, the king who unified Norway into one kingdom, the great dragon ship came together in the town of Haugesund in Western Norway.
Plank by plank, nail by nail, more than 10 000 of them, the ship was constructed by a band of experienced boat builders, historians, craftsmen and artists.
115 feet from stem to stern, 26 feet wide, 260 square meters of silk sail and a 79 feet tall mast made from Douglas fir. She is a seaworthy ship, able to sail the Oceans of the World.
At a hundred and fourteen feet of crafted oak, twenty-seven feet on the beam, displacing eighty tons, and with a thirty-two hundred square foot sail, this magnificent ship is indeed worthy of a king. For more details of the ship, click here. Facts about the ship, click here.
Visit the Draken Village and enjoy the immersive photo and video exhibition illustrating Viking history, modern explorers, and the adventures of the Draken. The exhibition and Village are free and open to the public.
Those of age will also be able to try complimentary Highland Park whiskey samples as you get the opportunity to relive history in a way never before experienced.
Sampling times:
Saturday, September 1: 1 pm – 7 pm
Sunday, September 2: 1 pm – 7 pm
Monday, September 3: Noon – 6 pm
Skål!
Video By Jack Cotter of En Route Marketing
Departure of the Draken Harald Hårfagre
After the days in port, the Draken and its crew are ready to set sail for the next port of call, which will be Baltimore, Maryland.
Date and time:
September 6th, time TBD (probably just before midnight)
The Draken Harald Hårfagre at Penn’s Landing
Location
Penn’s Landing outside of the Independence Seaport Museum
211 S. Columbus Blvd, Philadelphia, PA
Date
August 31 – September 6, 2018
Times
Opening hours for deck tours:
September 1: 10:00 am – 8:00 pm
September 2: 10:00 am – 8:00 pm
September 3: 10:00 am – 8:00 pm
September 4: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
September 5: 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
September 6: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Exhibition hours at the Draken Village:
September 1: 10:00 am – 8:00 pm
September 2: 10:00 am – 8:00 pm
September 3: 10:00 am – 8:00 pm
September 4: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
September 5: 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
September 6: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Cost
Guided Tours | Adults $14 | Children $7 (5 – 15 yrs old)
Get Tickets, Click Here
Web Site
Photo Courtesy of Peder Jacobsson for Draken Expedition America
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