Forsvik lock
Read about Forsvik lock's formal name, year of construction and technical facts. Learn the history!
Product description
Formal name: Karl XIII
Built: 1813
Technical facts: Forsvik Lock has a rise of 3.5 metres, which is the highest for a single lock on the Göta CanalThe building of the lock required a workforce of approximately 500 billeted soldiers. A number of Russians deserters also took part. According to an old myth, Russian prisoners of war were forced to work on the excavations for the Göta Canal. The truth is that the canal was built by 58,000 billeted soldiers who sweated and struggled during the 23 years it took to complete the waterway through Sweden. Although there were a small number of Russians involved, there were no more than about 160 Russian deserters at the same time at Forsvik.