‘Without any warfare,’ Viking ship invades Wharf — and is open for tours

WASHINGTON — These Vikings come in peace.

The Norwegian Viking ship Draken Harald Hårfagre — “a reconstruction of what the Norse Sagas refer to as a ‘Great ship'” — will be docked at The Wharf’s Transit Pier through Oct. 15.

“We have taken Washington, without any warfare,” owner Sigurd Aase joked.

Aase hopes visiting the ship will inspire people “to reflect” and leave them curious about Vikings and Scandinavia.

Why build the ship and take it on tour for people to see? Aase said it was one of his daydreams when he was young. “In my opinion, everyone should try to realize one or a few of their daydreams,” he said. “Small or big, it doesn’t matter.”

Ticket prices for deck tours are $12 for adults and $6 for kids. A family pack of two adults and up to three kids is $30.

When the Draken came up the Potomac River to dock at the Southwest D.C. waterfront, the wind was coming from the wrong direction for its bright crimson sail to be unfurled. The sail might be put up however, if the wind is right when the Draken leaves town the evening of Oct. 15.

The Norwegian Viking ship, Draken Harald Hårfagre (Draken) will be docked at The Wharf’s Transit Pier through Oct. 15. (WTOP/Kristi King)
The Norwegian Viking ship, Draken Harald Hårfagre will be docked at The Wharf’s Transit Pier through Oct. 15. (WTOP/Kristi King)
The Norwegian Viking ship, Draken Harald Hårfagre (Draken) will be docked at The Wharf’s Transit Pier through Oct. 15. (WTOP/Kristi King)
The Norwegian Viking ship, Draken Harald Hårfagre will be docked at The Wharf’s Transit Pier through Oct. 15. (WTOP/Kristi King)
The Norwegian Viking ship, Draken Harald Hårfagre (Draken) will be docked at The Wharf’s Transit Pier through Oct. 15. (WTOP/Kristi King)
The Norwegian Viking ship, Draken Harald Hårfagre will be docked at The Wharf’s Transit Pier through Oct. 15. (WTOP/Kristi King)
When the Draken came up the Potomac River to dock on the Southwest D.C. waterfront, the wind was coming from the wrong direction for its bright crimson sail to be unfurled. (WTOP/Kristi King)
When the Draken came up the Potomac River to dock on the Southwest D.C. waterfront, the wind was coming from the wrong direction for its bright crimson sail to be unfurled. (WTOP/Kristi King)
"In my opinion everyone should try to realize one, or a few of their daydreams," owner Sigurd Aase said. (WTOP/Kristi King)
“In my opinion everyone should try to realize one, or a few of their daydreams,” owner Sigurd Aase said. (WTOP/Kristi King)
The ship is open to tours while it's docked at The Wharf in Southwest D.C. (WTOP/Kristi King)
The ship is open to tours while it’s docked at The Wharf in Southwest D.C. (WTOP/Kristi King)
Aboard the Draken, crew members dress the part. (WTOP/Kristi King)
Viking enthusiasts from Florida greet the ship. (WTOP/Kristi King)
(WTOP/Kristi King)
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The Norwegian Viking ship, Draken Harald Hårfagre (Draken) will be docked at The Wharf’s Transit Pier through Oct. 15. (WTOP/Kristi King)
The Norwegian Viking ship, Draken Harald Hårfagre (Draken) will be docked at The Wharf’s Transit Pier through Oct. 15. (WTOP/Kristi King)
The Norwegian Viking ship, Draken Harald Hårfagre (Draken) will be docked at The Wharf’s Transit Pier through Oct. 15. (WTOP/Kristi King)
When the Draken came up the Potomac River to dock on the Southwest D.C. waterfront, the wind was coming from the wrong direction for its bright crimson sail to be unfurled. (WTOP/Kristi King)
"In my opinion everyone should try to realize one, or a few of their daydreams," owner Sigurd Aase said. (WTOP/Kristi King)
The ship is open to tours while it's docked at The Wharf in Southwest D.C. (WTOP/Kristi King)
Aboard the Draken, crew members dress the part. (WTOP/Kristi King)

Kristi King

Kristi King is a veteran reporter who has been working in the WTOP newsroom since 1990. She covers everything from breaking news to consumer concerns and the latest medical developments.

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