Tour replica of Viking ship at Geneva's Good Templar Park

A Viking long ship replica will be open for public tours from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 16, at Good Templar Park, 528 East Side Drive in Geneva.

A viewing platform allows visitors to see inside the ship, called the Viking, built in 1893. The vessel is about 78 feet long, 17 feet wide, and 6.5 feet high from the bottom of the keel to the gunwale. Its black oak planks are fastened together with thousands of iron rivets.

At sea, the Viking averaged 10 knots and the hull was designed to flex with the waves. The boat is an exact copy of the Viking ship Gokstad, built about 850. The replica was sailed across the Atlantic Ocean from Bergen, Norway, to Chicago for the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition. Guided tours begin every 30 minutes. The last guided tour is at 3:30 p.m. Self-guided viewing is also available.

Admission is $5 for adults and $3 for teens. Parking is free.

Guided group tours are available by appointment. A two-week advance reservation is required. Cost is $5 for adults and $3 for children age 6 and older. The minimum fee is $25. Call (630) 753-9412 or email viking1893@gmail.com.

Visit days are scheduled on the third Saturday of April, May, July, August, September and October. Special visit days will be announced for viewing during Geneva's Swedish Days Festival in June. For information, call (630) 753-9412 or email viking1893@gmail.com.