CATHEDRAL (LUNDS DOMKYRKA)

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.