Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
As you look out to the little point across from the dock, notice the big yel-
low building. In the 18th century, this was built as the
pilot house.
Because
the archipelago is so treacherous to navigate—with its tens of thousands of
islands and skerries, not to mention untold numbers of hidden underwater
rocks—locals don't trust outsiders to bring their boats here. So passing ships
unfamiliar with these waters were required to pick up a local captain (or “pi-
lot”) to take them safely all the way to Stockholm. The tradition continues
today. The orange boats marked
pilot,
moored below the house, ferry loaner
captains to oncoming ships. And, since this is the point of entry into Sweden,
foreign ships can also be processed by customs here.
The little red shed just in front of the pilot house is home to a humble
town
museum
that's open sporadically in the summer, featuring exhibits on Sand-
hamn's history and some seafaring tales. Just below that, notice the waterfront
red barn with the
T
sign. The owner of this boat-repair shop erected this mark-
er for Stockholm's T-bana just for fun.
Just above the barn, look for the yellow building with the blue letters
spelling
SandhamnsVärdshus.
Thistraditionalinn,builtinthelate17thcen-
tury, housed sailors while they waited here to set out to sea. During that time,
Stockholm had few exports, so ships that brought and unloaded cargo there
came to Sandhamn to load up their holds with its abundant sand as ballast.
Today the inn still serves good food (see “Eating in Sandhamn,” later).
