-20% in selected | Envío gratis a Península desde 60€

Drakkar – The Viking Ship

The iconic ship 

The longship, also known as the långskip (long ship), was the iconic vessel used by the Vikings during the period between 700 and 1000 AD.

It was used by the Nordic peoples in a myriad of tasks, from exploration to warfare, through trade and fishing.

The name drakkar is a transformation of an old Icelandic term used to designate dragons, whose heads were usually depicted carved in wood on the prow of the ship. Viking longships were some of the fastest, strongest and most prepared ships for the Atlantic Ocean. They could navigate in shallow waters and dock anywhere.

Qualities of the longship

They were boats with a long length compared to their width, and with little draft. Due to these characteristics they were fast, maneuverable and very versatile ships. They carried out all kinds of navigation, although they were more intended for coastal and river navigation. In general they had sails and oars for their propulsion.

Due to their lightness, they could be beached and transported by land, being able to overcome obstacles when they navigated rivers, thus facilitating access to interior territories. This is how the Vikings went up the Guadalquivir River and attacked the city of Seville, among others.

boat types

The Snnekar, named for its serpent-shaped figurehead. They were the largest warships. They had capacity for more than 80 warriors on board. They were equipped with 20 oars per side.

The Knnar they were slow and robust vessels destined for commerce. With dimensions that could reach a length of more than 15 meters and almost 5 meters wide. They were capable of housing, in addition to the goods they transported, about 30 crew members on board. They regularly made voyages to Greenland and Iceland to provide for their settlements.

The Drakkar are the best known. They were also destined for war. They used to be about 25 meters long by 5 wide and had a capacity for around 40 Vikings and had 15 pairs of oars.

Building

Generally, Viking ships had a keel, a longitudinal piece at the bottom of a boat where its entire frame rests, flat, which allowed them to navigate through shallow draft areas. The hull was built with wooden planks lashed or shingle, that is, partially superimposed on each other like roof tiles, and was built on a solid keel that, together with the finely curved stem and sternpost, made up the spine. hull back. To cover the joints between the plates, moss or animal hair impregnated with pitch was used.

The craftsmanship of the boat was rich in drawings and shapes. They had no decks and many rows of wooden stools where the oarsmen sat. They placed their shields along both sides, between them holes were made through which the oars were removed and which were closed with a small tilting wood, to prevent water from entering. To fix the mast, a wooden block was placed in the center, and in front and behind it two "hangers" were placed where the sail rested when not in use.

en_GBEnglish (UK)

20%

Descuento

¡Afila tu hacha Vikingo! Los tesoros del Valhalla te esperan. Descubre los mejores precios en anillos, colgantes y brazaletes. 
Encuentra los productos con descuento y hazte con ellos ahora.

favicon