Viking sailboat 'Saga Farmann' getting ready in Istanbul for fans
Saga Farmann, a replica of the Viking sailboat from the 10th century BC, discovered during archaeological excavations, will be opened to Viking fans in Istanbul after a 13-week long journey with a crew of 12.
Saga Farmann, a replica of the Viking sailboat "Klastad", built in the 10th century as part of the project launched to promote the culture, history and maritime heritage of the Vikings, is making its final preparations before being exhibited at the Rahmi M. Koc Museum, Anadolu Agency reported.
Lars Bill, who is responsible for the technical affairs of the project and also one of the captains, told Anadolu Agency that they are looking forward to the exhibition day to welcome Viking lovers and talk about history in Istanbul, where they came to follow the historical route of the Vikings.
Lars Bill, technical affairs responsible and one of the captains of Saga Farmann
REPLICA OF VIKINGS' ORIGINAL SAILBOAT
Bill stated that they set out to show the world their mastery of shipbuilding techniques, as well as the increasing popularity of Vikings with TV series on social platforms.
"For this historical route, we decided to rebuild with our own hands the same ship that was found in the archaeological excavations. We built the ship just like the Vikings did. We went to the forest and cut down trees and processed them. Then we put them together,” he said.
“We made all the nails and iron materials with the blacksmiths. Slowly but with fine craftsmanship. This is how we succeeded in making the original Viking ship. We used the same wood used in the original ship. We used oak and pine wood. We used 3,000 individually made nails on the ship,” he added.
Explaining that the ship was completed in 3 years, Bill stressed that their first goal within the scope of the project was to come to Istanbul, which the Vikings called "Miklagard".
In addition, Captain Bill stated that they were in contact with Turkish academics during the construction process of the ship and shared their experiences on archaeological remains with Prof Dr Ufuk Kocabsş and his team.
LOOKING FORWARD TO MEETING VISITORS
He stated that he is looking forward to meeting Viking fans in Istanbul.
"I hope a lot of Turks come to visit our ship and talk about Vikings and the interaction between Turks and Vikings. Vikings and Turks have a common history. I want to talk about Vikings and history with those who visit,” Bill said.
Saga Farmann is planned to be opened to visitors at the Rahmi M. Koc Museum quay two weeks after the maintenance and official procedures are completed, and then it will host Viking history lovers at different points of the Bosphorus and Marmara Sea.
The sailboat will anchor in the Golden Horn during the winter, then follow the historical routes of the Vikings and reach the exit point through the Mediterranean, the English Channel and the Norwegian Sea.
Source: Anadolu Agency
