Första spadtaget - Göta Kanal - Motala, Sweden
N 58° 32.081 E 015° 02.477
33V E 502403 N 6488240
Memorial sculpture about the Göta Canal - the first shovel of soil.
Waymark Code: WM1586V
Location: Östergötland, Sweden
Date Posted: 11/05/2021
Views: 3
Memorial sculpture about the Göta Canal - the first shovel of soil. Made as a silhouette sculpture in black wrought iron. The artist is Olle Magnusson.
The Göta Canal stretches from Sjötorp on the east side of Lake Vänern to Mem at Slätbaken. It is 190 km long and has a total of 58 locks. Highest elevation above sea level: 91.8 m. Together with the Trollhätte Canal and the lakes Väneren, Vätteren and Roxen, it forms a waterway across Sweden from the Baltic Sea in the east to the Kattegat in the west.
Highest elevation above sea level: 91.8 m.
As early as around the year 1500, the idea arose to make a canal across Sweden. However, it was not until the beginning of the 19th century that Baltzar von Platen, a German-born former officer in the Swedish navy, received financial and political support for this project. Baltzar von Platen could see that mining, agriculture and other industries would benefit from "a sailing route" through the country and modernize Sweden. His plans also received the support of the new king, Charles XIII.
The Göta Canal was built between 1810-1832. 58000 soldiers have participated in the excavation of the canal and about seven million effective days work in 12 hours have been spent.
Much of the expertise and equipment had to be acquired from abroad. Scottish civil engineer Thomas Telford, known for his design of the Caledonian Canal in Scotland, participated with his expertise. Construction equipment such as picks, shovels and wheelbarrows were also imported.
It is one of the largest construction projects ever undertaken in Sweden.
Today, the canal is used primarily as a tourist and recreational attraction. About two million people sail on the canal each year, either on their own boats or on one of the many cruise ships.
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