Älvsnabben, Nynäshamn

Älvsnabben is a small island near Muskö in the archipelago south of Stockholm, Sweden. The name may also refer to a natural harbour, more correctly called Älvsnabbsbassängen, between the four small islands Älvsnabben, Bjurshagslandet, Kapellön and Gubbholmen. Älvsnabben was mentioned as an anchoring place as early as the 13th century, then a part of a medieval sailing route, in the Danish Census Book of king Valdemar II. It was also used by the North German trade federation, the Hanseatic League, who called it Elsnaben. From the reign of king Eric XIV of Sweden, it was used as a base for the Swedish navy. As such, it is known that the Vasa was heading for the marine base on Älvsnabben when it was launched in August 1628. History tells us that the Vasa sank short after its launch, only 1200 meters from the king's castle in Stockholm. ()