Monuments to visit Götaland

In 1999, the Spaniard Santiago Calatrava (born near Valencia in 1951) participated in the competition to build the trans-Øresund link. His project was not selected, but it included a strange twisted monument on the Swedish shore that seduced the examiners enough for them to propose that the architect modify it into a residential building. This was done in 2005, and the 190-meter high tower (the tallest in Northern Europe) has since become one of the symbols of Malmö.

Since the 12th century, the two towers of the cathedral, called "Lunna Pågarna", have been rising above the plain, telling the traveller that he or she is no longer far from Lund. It also reminds us that there were as many as 27 churches and 8 convents here. The church has an unusual play of different shades of sandstone from a quarry in the Lund area. The same quarry, which is still used for the cathedral's purposes today, provided the sandstone for its unusually rich ornamental and figurative sculptures. The cathedral's most popular attraction is its astronomical clock, which dates from the late 14th century. Every day, at the twelve strokes of noon and at 3pm (Sundays at 1pm and 3pm), a mechanism sets wooden figures in motion: the show begins with an exchange of swords between two knights... The church is home to a set of beautiful stalls designed for the canons of the old Saint-Laurent monastery which belonged to the church. The triptych above the altar dates from the 15th century. The apse ends at the top with a mosaic of Christ, the work of Joakim Skovgaard in 1925.

Be sure tovisit the crypt, which is reached by descending the stairs beside the altar. It dates from 1123 and contains the tombs of famous people. It is supported by columns on which sculptures are carved. One of them represents Finn the Giant who, according to legend, built the church for Saint Lawrence.

Malmö Castle is the heir of a first building founded by Erik of Pomerania in 1430 before being rebuilt a century later and occupied by the mint. After the return of Skåne to Sweden, the defenses were strengthened and a moat system dug. After the return of peace with Denmark, the building was converted into a prison and then into a museum in 1937. Of the castle itself remains, beyond the wooden bridge over the moat, a massive facade framed by two round towers, all built of brick.

In the courtyard, a modern building (also without lightness) houses four sections of the Malmö Museums (Malmö Museer). The restaurant Wega is located on Slottsholmen, right next to the main entrance of the Malmö Museums.

The Governor's House and the House of Technology and the Navy are located outside the castle. Between the museum and Kommendanthuset, there are some brightly painted wooden huts: this is the Fiskehoddorna, which serves as a fish market every morning.

Kontsmuseet (Museum of Fine Arts). Beautiful collection of Swedish landscape artists such as Carl Fredrik Hill (1849-1911). There are also contemporary works, notably by the sculptor Carl Fredrik Reuterswärd (born in 1934) and the Malmö-born surrealist painter Max Walter Svanberg (1912-1995). One room is devoted to a sketch made by the Dane Joakim Skovgaard for the mosaic of the cathedral in Lund. Beautiful collection of Russian paintings from the late ^19th century and representative works of Swedish design.

Historical museum. Documents, plans and objects tracing the history of Malmö Castle and focusing on life in Skåne in the ^17th century, when it became part of Sweden.

Aquarium & Tropicarium. Local fish and amphibians, but also (more exotic) gymnotes, better known as electric eels, and other piranhas.

Museum of natural history. Flora and fauna of Skåne, geology and paleontology with notably a dinosaur skeleton.

Kommendanthuset (the Governor's house). An ^{eighteenth-century} mansion that now houses exhibitions on photography. Right next to the Governor's house is a very nice little café serving organic and locally grown products (sandwiches, pies, salads, ice cream and homemade pastries).

Tekniken och Sjöfartens Hus (House of Technology and the Navy).

Famous for its magnificent park and rhododendron grove, which, with 10,000 plants, is the most extensive in Scandinavia. This ^19th century castle was given as a wedding present by King Oscar II to his grandson Gustav Adolf and his wife Margareta in 1905, and the royal furnishings have not changed a bit! Lunch in the castle restaurant, a walk along the ponds... A delight. In summer, exhibitions and concerts on the beautiful and spacious lawns surrounding the castle.

Erected on the heights of the city, the Kärnan tower has watched over Helsingborg for more than 600 years. 35 m high, its walls are 4,50 m thick. It served as a defense tower and a lookout to prevent attacks by Danish troops. After the end of the Nordic wars, the fortress fell into disrepair and all the buildings were destroyed except for the tower which was restored in 1894. From the top (after having climbed the 188 steps!), a superb view on the bay and, in the distance, the contours of the Danish neighbor Helsingør.

A strategic stronghold on the border of Denmark and Sweden in the Middle Ages, then a major player during the War of Skåne in 1676, this solid orange castle surrounded by the waters of the Baltic Sea was initially built in the 12th century. It was the place where the Kalmar Treaty was signed in 1397 before being transformed by the Vasa dynasty until it took on its present appearance at the end of the 16th century. It is now the best preserved Renaissance castle in the country. A guided tour is offered at the reception desk, included in the ticket price.

The fortifications are undoubtedly the most striking feature of this city, as they are almost perfectly preserved. The wall surrounding the old town was built between the 13th and 14th centuries. It was initially very basic, but in the late 1300s it was raised and strengthened with high, solid towers to protect the city from Danish attempts to take over. Today, the walls stand all around the city. It is possible to walk along the ramparts and climb the two towers overlooking the sea at the north-western end.

The province of Bohuslän became Swedish following the Roskilde Peace Treaty in 1658. Realising the strategic value of the port of Marstrand, King Charles X ordered the construction of fortifications and so the construction of the fortress began. It took about 200 years to complete. The fortress was built by convicts over the years. The most famous of these prisoners was Lasse-Maja - a kind of Swedish Robin Hood - who managed to escape from the fortress by disguising himself as a woman.

Bosjökloster, beautifully situated between two lakes, was built on an unknown date. The oldest document related to it dates back to 1181 and evokes a convent. During the Reform, the convent was closed before being, in the th century, forfeited by the Swedish State. Today, the noble Bonde family (the first name of the chamberlain is James) occupies and preserves this two-storey building with a bright white. The castle is open to the public as well as the park which includes an aromatic garden and a rose garden. Beautiful lawns overlook the lake.

Five kilometers south of Bredsätra are seven windmills in a row. They form a long row on the headland and are the longest preserved row of windmills in Öland. They are typical island windmills, and many of them have been restored by local associations. The village of Störlinge is one of the few villages where most farms still have their windmills. Two kilometers further south, the medieval church of Gärdslösa houses frescoes from the ^17th century, and furniture from the ^17th and ^18th centuries.

This is where the grand botanist Von Linné was born, and in Växjö he studied up to 20 years. There is also a statue of him behind the cathedral, where his school was located. The location, located in the heart of a natural reserve, has been restored for the tricentennial of the birth of the scientist. This is an opportunity to see what this part of Sweden could look like 300 years ago: the area is completely preserved, around the house, the gardens, the fields, the new orangerie… You can even qualify for a guided tour in French by calling in advance.

The only mill to polish the stone of Öland is 3 km along the coast.

Built in the Middle Ages, Troll-Ljungby was restored in the th and th centuries and in the middle of the th century. In the courtyard are exposed to the horn and pipe of Ljungby. These objects play a crucial role in the mythology of the castle. History dates back to the th century. A household was ordered to go to see what the elves were preparing for the Christmas party. The elves gave him a pipe and a horn, and he was forced to smoke and drink their health. But a young girl, held hostage by the elves, shouted to leave. The young employee managed to escape with the two gifts. To revenge, the elves held a curse: the castle had to burn three times and change ownership. The castle was indeed burned three times, and the noble Ulfstrand gave way to another noble family, Troll-Wachtmeister.

Built in 1499 and has not undergone any reshuffle since then, Glimmingehus is a veritable medieval castle open to the public. Small openings crossing the walls of 2,50 m thick still point to cannons. In 1676, during the war between Denmark and Sweden, the King of Sweden gave the order to demolish the castle, fearing that he fell into the hands of the Danes. But, while the men were there, the Danish fleet landed in the port of Ystad and the Swedes had to escape. Glimmingehus, who later changed ownership, is now owned by the Swedish state. Not to miss in August, the medieval festival gathering knights and minstrels at the time around a game.

This castle, built in 1640 in the Christian II style, King of Denmark, has been the subject of many covetous. Unfortunately, the interior cannot be visited, but the fortifications surrounding a canal crossed by many bridges are remarkable.

This Renaissance castle, built in 1530 by a noble named Sparre, serves as a museum and restaurant. The huge red brick building is reflected in the lake beneath it. During the Danish period, the castle was a very appreciated residence of Danish nobles. Its most famous owner was the Swedish Rutger Macklean (1742-1816), which was changing peasant life by imposing land regrouping (villages break-up, redistribution of land), thus making Skåne the richest region in the Swedish Kingdom. The four floors of the castle reconstruct the lives of nobles at various times: exhibitions of tapestries, clothing, arms, textiles, toys and coins. The castle park is wild and cultivated with its lake, beech wood and green lawns. The restaurant, traditional regional cuisine, offers a typical but very expensive menu.

Built, in 1559, belonged to only two families: The Thott for 300 years and today at Troll. Does it not look like a fairy tale? It is said that every night the ghost of the places agite its chains…

To the south-east of the square, Alamedan Street leads to the Royal Bridge. It is bordered by wooden houses, which escaped the destruction caused by the great fire of 1790, after which 3 000 inhabitants were homeless. The fire took place on the Admiralty Street (Amiralitetsgatan) because of the insouciance of a servant who was busy his laundry. The wind blowing strong that day was busy spreading the disaster. The Royal Bridge was once the main place of access to Karlskrona. On the right, we see the shipyard surrounded by fortifications.

10 km southwest of Simrishamn, Glimmingehus is a medieval castle made of large gray stones with narrow dormer windows. Its roof is cut in the shape of a staircase. On certain summer evenings, sheltered by 2.5 meter thick walls, one can attend historical shows and concerts in a medieval atmosphere. The place has the reputation of being frequented by ghosts... If you cannot go there, it is always possible to visit the place in 3D, an advantage of which the creators are not little proud!

In the heart of the city, in a residential area, is a bare park without charm, except it is home to a fortified Viking fort! In fact, only one quarter of the strong circular was reconstituted, just behind buildings, but its entrance and fence made of logs is no less impressive. At the entrance, a sign tells the story of this site, which was abandoned by the year. There is also an open shop in summer.