The Baltic Sea has been a crossroads of cultures and crucial trade routes for centuries. Surrounded by countries such as Sweden, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, and Germany, its history is intrinsically linked to the exchanges and conflicts that have defined Europe.
During the Viking era, the Baltic became a key route for Nordic traders and explorers, who established connections between the north and the east of Europe. Subsequently, the Hanseatic League, a powerful alliance of trading cities in the 13th to 17th centuries, used the waters of the Baltic to monopolize the trade of goods such as timber, grain, and fish, economically strengthening cities like Tallinn, Riga, and Gdansk.
The sea has also been the scene of numerous conflicts, from medieval wars to modern territorial disputes. During the Cold War, its strategic location made it a dividing line between the eastern and western blocks.
Despite this turbulent past, the Baltic Sea is today a symbol of the rich cultural heritage of the region, known for its stunning natural landscapes, its well-preserved medieval cities, and its role in revitalizing trade and cultural relations in Europe.