The Karlskrona yard is one of the few dockyards in the world where it is still possible to see buildings and docks specifically designed for the construction of sailing warships. The most important of these buildings and installations are the Rope-walk, the Wasa Shed, the Polhem dock, the “Five finger” dock and the Old Mast Crane. Shipbuilding is still carried out in the western dockyard. At first the Navy Yard was situated on the island of Vämö but was moved to the southern part of Trossö in 1684.

By the beginning of the eighteenth century, Karlskrona had become a centre of technical innovation. If the most striking of these installations is the Polhem dock, less eye-catching constructions at the yard such as the quays, slipways and dolphins are also worthy of note.

The Main Guardhouse.Built in 1821–26, the neo-classical Main Guardhouse dominates the background to the Admiralty Plain, and is the only old building at the Naval base that faces towards the town itself. This was the main entrance into the base.

The No. I Storehouse. Designed by af Chapman and Ehrensvärd, this building is from the 1780’s. In the winter months the warships were moored at nearby quays and their sails, cordage and various other equipment were stored here in accordance with a carefully organised procedure. The interior of the storehouse was so disposed that the fleet could be prepared for sea in the shortest possible time. The rational architecture with few superfluous details reflects the practical nature of the building.

The Ships’ Models Room and Mustering Hall. Designed by af Chapman, the Ships’ Models Room building is from the 1780’s. A Royal decree from 1752 called for the establishment of a Models Room to house models of all the ships and constructions produced at the Yard. The Hall is housed on the upper floor of a handsome neo-classical extension, with a pediment bearing the monogram of Gustav III surrounded by flying pennants in the Swedish national colours of blue and yellow. The monogram is the work of the Admiralty Sculptor Johan Törnström (1743–1828). The Mustering Hall is on the ground floor and was large enough to contain the assembled crew of an entire warship at the same time.

Furnishing Sheds Nos. I and III. It was in these buildings from the 1780’s that af Chapman’s principles of standardised production were put into practice. Together with the Models Room building the No. I Furnishing Shed, which also housed a compass workshop and sheds for oars and copper, the building formed an impressive facade on this street. The No. III Furnishing Shed is at the end of this row of buildings, and contains the carpenters’ and painters’ workshops, a lead foundry, a weights and measures room and workshops in which nails, cleats, wedges and models were made.

The Chapman Gate. The rather theatrical Chapman Gate, situated between the I and III Furnishing Sheds, leads into the Yard Superintendent’s residence. Designed by Chapman and erected in the 1780’s, it was rebuilt in the Empire style in 1830. The fronton of the gate has been embellished with the stern ornament of the former ship of the line Vasa and a balustrade has been added to the terrace above the fronton.

The Chapman residence. The Admiral Superintendent’ s residence is from 1781–2. It resembles a typical Swedish manor house of the period and Chapman lived there until his death in 1808. The main building was the official residence of the Yard Superintendent until 1961, and thereafter of the Commanding Officer of the Naval Base.

The Sculptor’s workshop. The building in its present form dates from the 1780’s when it became the workshop for the newly appointed sculptor to the Admiralty, Johan Törnström. A classical temple pediment has been superimposed onto a simple construction in red ochre and decorated with a grotesque grimacing mask carved by Törnström himself. The building originally lay somewhat to the west but was moved to its present site when the new Ship Construction Hall was erected there in the beginning of the 1960’s.

The Careening Wharf and Old Ships´ Stocks. These installations near the passage, from 1685-6, are among the oldest ones at the Yard. A ship was keeled over to one side so that her hull was exposed for cleaning and repair work. Of the two careening wharfs, the western one has been restored to its original condition.

Timber pens. This was originally one of several pens in which shipbuilding timber was stored in water. It was in use until the latter part of the eighteenth century when timber was taken up on land for storage. The pens were later roofed over and used to house the Navy’s small boats.