World largest Viking ship Draken Harald Hårfagre sails from Norway to America, relives 1st transatlantic crossing >1,000 yrs ago

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The world’s largest Viking ship, the Norwegian Draken Harald Hårfagre, will be docking at Mystic Seaport, Connecticut, beginning October 2, 2016
"It has been a tremendous adventure! A challenge extraordinaire, to explore the world with the largest Viking ship built and sailed in modern times. Im proud of our crew and all the challenges we have overcome to reach the final stop on this journey."
– Captain Björn Ahlander

October 2, Draken Harald Hårfagre, the world’s largest viking ship built in modern times, will sail into Mystic Seaport, Connecticut, and it is the final destination for Expedition America 2016.

The ship departed Haugesund, Norway on April 26 2016 and sailed with 33 brave crew members across the North Atlantic Ocean stopping at Shetland Island, Faroe Islands, Iceland, Greenland and reached the American continent and St Anthony, Newfoundland, Canada June 1st 2016. The journey continued into the St Lawrence Seaway and the Great Lakes visiting numerous ports and met thousands of people. The aim of the expedition is to explore and relive one of the most mythological sea voyages – the first transatlantic crossing and the Viking discovery of the New World, more than 1,000 years ago and to explore the world with the same courage and curiosity as the Vikings did.

Draken Harald Hårfagre will arrive at Mystic Seaport 11 a.m. on Sunday, October 2. Pending US Coast Guard inspection on Monday morning, the ship will be open to the public from October 3 to October 10. Please follow the ships website and social channels for updates: drakenexpeditionamerica.com

The beauty of the Dragon
Draken means dragon in English. This is not first time someone sailed this route with a Viking ship, but it is the first time we are able to share the experience and the adventure with the world like this, says Peder Jacobsson, photographer and cinematographer on Draken.

[April 2016] The world's largest viking ship built in modern times leaves her home port in Haugesund, Norway to sail off for a challenging voyage across the North Atlantic Ocean.

The aim is to explore and relive one of the most mythological sea voyages - the first transatlantic crossing, and the Viking discovery of the New World, more than a thousand years ago. History tells us about the Viking explorer, Leif Eriksson, who discovered America over 500 years before Christopher Columbus. The expedition is all about exploring the world, just like the Vikings did.

The project will, like Leif Eriksson, create intercultural meetings and inspire people to go beyond the horizon in a modern Viking saga. Along the traditional route, the ship will pass Viking settlements and new archaeological findings. Reaching the American continent, Expedition America 2016 will sail on visting ports in Canada and USA.

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Photo courtesy Mary Altaffer / Reuters, Leif Easterson, and Peder Jacobsson / Draken Expedition America