Things to see and do Karlskrona

In the west of the city and about 15 minutes' walk from the Main Square, you will find the most authentic part of Karlskrona, and it is well worth a visit. It was first settled by craftsmen, as evidenced by some wooden houses from the first half of the 18th century. The streets running north-south are named after ships, those running east-west after famous admirals, for a maritime atmosphere. Those who speak several languages will be able to recognise the authentic Björkholmskan dialect in this area, which is rich in diphthongs.

Built in 1705 on the order of Admiral Count Hans Wachtmeister, the museum presents exhibitions on stonecutters, shipbuilding, navigation and fishing. The exhibits change regularly, so be sure to check the website. The museum is suitable for both adults and children. In the basement, in summer, the Greven café offers homemade cakes and quiches. After the visit, you can enjoy the beautiful baroque garden.

This street, pedestrian in its central part, crosses Karlskrona from east to west. It is surrounded by major shops, hotels and restaurants, as well as the unique cinema. In summer, we go down by eating ice cream. Sometimes, sitting on a bench, listen to groups of musicians.

At the end of Ronnebygatan, to the west, the fish wharf once housed the fish market. The statue Fiskargumman, by Erik Höglund, represents a fishmonger calling out to passers-by. The inhabitants of the archipelago continue to moor their boats here. It is the starting point of the main excursions. A tip: cross the small footbridge that leads to the island of Stakholmen. A perfect place for a picnic, with a breathtaking view of the Borgmästarefjärden at sunset.

The area of the old shipyard is part of the Karlskrona World Heritage Site. It was built in 1680 and is located in the southernmost part of the town. In 1960, ropes and cables were still being manufactured here. Today you can see Sweden's first submarine, the Hajen (Shark), built in 1905. Along Gröna Gången (the green path), yellow wooden houses that were officers' quarters in the 18th century are still inhabited

It can be reached on foot in a few minutes (towards the south). Built in 1685, it is probably the work of the architect Erik Dahlberg. The church is built entirely of wood and painted red. The wood for the church was transported from Riga, now the capital of Latvia, but in the 1680s the city belonged to Sweden and was the largest city in the kingdom. The Rosenbaum statue shows an old man wearing a hat and holding out his hand.

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.

It is considered one of the most beautiful squares in Northern Europe. It is very large and offers a striking view of the ochre-coloured buildings that surround it; in the centre stands the statue of Charles XI, the founder of the city. If you walk along Ronnebygatan (the main street), you will see the round forms of the Holy Trinity Church, whose plan was designed by Tessin the Younger based on a Roman church model. This church also attests to the presence, until the middle of the 19th century, of a Germanic community.

In the center of the city, between the train station and the Grand-Place, this park commemorates the battle of Hogland which took place in 1788. You can see the statue of King Charles XIII who, on that occasion, led the Swedish fleet. The park was designed to follow the fashion of the French parks, so there are beautiful geometric areas dotted with flowers. Near the fountain is a bronze statue by Karlskrona native Gunnar Nilsson of the Blekinge girl.

Collections of navy arms and models of old ships. It shows the role of the Swedish fleet based in Karlskrona in the emergence of Sweden as a great European power in the th century. Exhibitions outline the way of life on board the war vessels of yesteryear. Some refinement already seemed to prevail: one can admire, among others, a nine-legged cat, used for punishment. From a submarine observation tunnel, it is even possible to see the wreck of a ship of the th century.