Malmö, Sweden

Since 1272, Malmö emerged into a dominant shipping port and Denmark’s second largest city until it was ceded to Sweden in 1658. Today, it is the perfect blend of historical landmarks, innovative new neighbors powered 100% by renewable energy, cultural venues, shopping districts, waterways and parks.

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Malmöhus Castle in Malmö, Sweden - Encircle Photos

1 Malmöhus Castle in Malmö, Sweden

Malmö’s first castle was built in 1434. In 1537, King Christian III of Denmark constructed this Renaissance fortress called Malmöhus. The citadel served Danish kings until Sweden’s independence in 1658. Then, it became a defense against the Danes. From 1828 to 1909 it was a prison. Since 1937, Malmöhus has been the home of the Malmö Museum except for a short period in 1945 when it sheltered survivors of German concentration camps. The museum has a collection of art, city history, natural history and maritime exhibits.

Malmöhusvägen 6, 211 18 Malmö, Sweden
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Slottsmöllan Windmill at Slottsträdgården in Malmö, Sweden - Encircle Photos

2 Slottsmöllan Windmill at Slottsträdgården in Malmö, Sweden

At the base of a hill occupied by the Malmö Castle is an enormous organic garden called Slottsträdgården or Castle Garden. Among its eight themed sections you will find nearly 500 species of plants including beautiful orchards, tulips and roses. A few steps away is this Dutch windmill named Slottsmöllan. The Castle Mill was built in 1851. It stands on the Mölleplatsen. This greenspace is a popular venue for outdoor events.

Castle Mill 211 18 Gamla Staden, Sweden
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Paddleboat on Kungsparken Canal in Malmö, Sweden - Encircle Photos

3 Paddleboat on Kungsparken Canal in Malmö, Sweden

Kungsparken is a 21 acre city park offering something for everyone. Since opening in 1872, King’s Park has hosted a large organic garden, unique species of mature trees, summer events and concerts, plenty of green space, a casino and nightclub, a 15th century Renaissance fortress and an old Dutch windmill. Or maybe you prefer to idle away your afternoon on a rented paddleboat like this couple. In the background is the quaint girder Slottsbron. The span is called the Castle Bridge because it leads towards the Malmöhus Castle.

Malmöhusvägen 4 211 18 Malmö, Sweden
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Buildings along Inre Hamnen in Malmö, Sweden - Encircle Photos

4 Buildings along Inre Hamnen in Malmö, Sweden

For over two hundred years starting in the late 1700s, Inre Hammen was the major harbor for shipping into and out of Malmö. Today, the Inner Harbor is mostly used for small craft and tourist boats. The street on the left is Skeppsbron. Two of the notable buildings appearing just beyond the bow of the docked ship are (right to left) the Central Station and the old post office.

Universitetsbron 211 19 Malmö, Sweden
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Inre Hamm Lighthouse in Malmö, Sweden - Encircle Photos

5 Inre Hamm Lighthouse in Malmö, Sweden

This classic looking, red and white banded lighthouse (fye in Swedish) was constructed in 1878. The Inre Hamn aided ship navigation for about 105 years before being decommissioned in 1983. The octagon-shaped, cast iron tower stands 66 feet tall. The light is located at the mouth of the Inner Harbor next to the University Bridge which opened in 2004.

Universitetsbron, 211 19 Malmö, Sweden
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Old Royal Post Office Building in Malmö, Sweden - Encircle Photos

6 Old Royal Post Office Building in Malmö, Sweden

In 1900, the old Central Post Office was designed in the National Romanticism style by Ferdinand Boberg. From 1883 until 1915, he was one of Sweden’s most prolific and accomplished architects. Most of the thirty buildings credited to him were built in his home town of Stockholm. Since 2014, the first floor of the Centralposthuset has been occupied by the Brasserie KP French restaurant.

Posthusplatsen 4 211 20 Malmö, Sweden
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Coat of Arms Anomaly in Malmö, Sweden - Encircle Photos

7 Coat of Arms Anomaly in Malmö, Sweden

Most of the Centralposthuset’s façade is red brick with few decorations except for this relief of the Kingdom of Sweden’s coat of arms. At first glance, it appears to be the greater version without the ermine mantling. Upon closer inspection, the two lions regardant are facing the wrong direction. They normally look away from the shield. It is not clear whether this anomaly was intentional or a mistake.

Posthusplatsen 4 211 20 Malmö, Sweden
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Comfort Hotel Old Building in Malmö, Sweden - Encircle Photos

8 Comfort Hotel Old Building in Malmö, Sweden

The Comfort Hotel Malmö has nearly 300 rooms, making it the largest hotel in the city. It consists of two buildings. This yellow one with the ornamental arched windows, pilaster columns and dentil cornice dates back to 1898. The new wing (not shown) was finished in 2011. It is located near the harbor and directly across from the Central Station and the new City Tunnel.

Carlsgatan 10C, 211 20 Malmö, Sweden
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Central Station West Façade in Malmö, Sweden - Encircle Photos

9 Central Station West Façade in Malmö, Sweden

The Malmö Central Station’s west façade was designed by AW Edelsvärd and opened in 1872 after the original railway station was burned in 1866. It is a testament to the 19th century train transportation for Malmö. Not shown is the 2011 extension called the Glass Hall. This modernistic, giant and transparent ramp was built to accommodate the City Tunnel that opened in 2010. It is an underground link connecting Malmö and Copenhagen, Denmark.

Centralstation Skeppsbron 1, 211 20 Malmö, Sweden
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Central Station Clock Tower in Malmö, Sweden - Encircle Photos

10 Central Station Clock Tower in Malmö, Sweden

In 1866, ten years after the Malmö Central Station was built, it was almost totally destroyed by arson except for this clock tower. The Malmö Centralstation was rebuilt in 1872 yet retained this iconic symbol. In the center of its white bricks is an emblem with three yellow crowns. This is the lesser coat of arms for the Kingdom of Sweden without the Order of the Seraphim. The crest is typically used by government agencies.

Centralstation Skeppsbron 1, 211 20 Malmö, Sweden
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Landmarks Old and New along Centralplan in Malmö, Sweden - Encircle Photos

11 Landmarks Old and New along Centralplan in Malmö, Sweden

Central Malmö is surrounded by canals like this one flowing past Centralplan. A popular attraction is the 50 minute Rundan canal tour starting at Norra Vallgatan where this photo was taken. Or if you prefer, you can rent a paddleboat or kayak to see the old landmarks and the newest buildings. Shown (from left to right) are the Mälarbron bridge and the Malmö Live’s three glass towers. This is a concert hall, conference center and a Clarion Hotel that opened in 2015. The distant clock tower is the Malmö University Chancellor’s Office. The yellow and white building is the Malmö Börshus Produktion AB event center. On the right is the Malmö Central Station.

Petribron, 211 22 Malmö, Sweden
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Rådhuset or Town Hall in Malmö, Sweden - Encircle Photos

12 Rådhuset or Town Hall in Malmö, Sweden

In the northeast corner of the Stortorget square is Malmö’s architectural gem: the Rådhuset. This magnificent building was constructed in 1546. It replaced an earlier town hall dating back to the mid-14th century. The current Dutch Renaissance façade of the radhus was added around 1860.

Stortorget 3, 211 22 Malmö, Sweden
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Detail of Statues on Rådhuset in Malmö, Sweden - Encircle Photos

13 Detail of Statues on Rådhuset in Malmö, Sweden

The upper façade of the Rådhuset in Malmö deserves inspection. It is the design of Helgo Zettervall. In 1860, this architect was given liberties to decide how the original town hall should have looked when it was built in the mid-16th century. Notice the statues flanking the clock tower. On the lower right is Mathias Flensburg. He was a shipping magnate who expanded Malmö’s port during the 19th century. On the lower left is Jörgen Knock. He minted coins, was a significant landowner and was the town’s mayor during the early 16th century.

Stortorget 3, 211 22 Malmö, Sweden
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Länsresidenset or Governor’s Residence in Malmö, Sweden - Encircle Photos

14 Länsresidenset or Governor’s Residence in Malmö, Sweden

The Länsresidenset along the perimeter of the Great Square in Malmö was a royal hall of the magistrate when it was constructed in the late 16th century. The two buildings, called the Gyllenpalmska House and the Royal House, became the governor’s home starting around 1728. Then, in 1849, The Residence was significantly renovated into today’s appearance.

Stortorget 1 211 22 Malmö, Sweden
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Stortorget or Great Square in Malmö, Sweden - Encircle Photos

15 Stortorget or Great Square in Malmö, Sweden

The Great Square, called Stortorget in Swedish, was named the Thet New Square when it was complete in the late 1530s. Its two prominent landmarks are the Länsresidenset or Governor’s Residence on the left and the Rådhuset or Town Hall on the right.

Stortorget Gamla staden, Malmö, Sweden
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Apoteket Lejonet or Pharmacy Lion in Malmö, Sweden - Encircle Photos

16 Apoteket Lejonet or Pharmacy Lion in Malmö, Sweden

Old architecture often tells its history and the Teschska Palace is a beautiful example. At the top is a relief of the Rod of Asclepius (a serpent entwined on a rod). This is the Greek symbol for healing and medicine. Next to it is 1896, the year this was built for John Tesch whose bust appears below the date. As a pharmacist, he used the lion as his brand. Today it is still called Apoteket Lejonet or Pharmacy Lion. Among the other magnificent reliefs are cherubs who are performing pharmaceutical tasks.

Stortorget 8, 211 34 Malmö, Sweden
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Arched Windows at Östergatan 32 in Malmö, Sweden - Encircle Photos

17 Arched Windows at Östergatan 32 in Malmö, Sweden

These two arched windows are on an ornate building at Östergatan 32. The street dates back to the early 1300s in the Gamla Väster or Old West section of Malmö. The façade is richly appointed with red bricks and yellow trim accented by Corinthian columns and a dentil cornice. This view is on Göran Olsgatan, a narrow street leading to Sankt Petri Church.

Östergatan 32 211 22 Malmö, Sweden
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Sankt Petri Church’s Bell Tower in Malmö, Sweden - Encircle Photos

18 Sankt Petri Church’s Bell Tower in Malmö, Sweden

Looming over the narrow streets of Malmö is the 344 foot, gothic brick bell tower of Sankt Petri Kyrka. St. Peter’s Church was built in 1319, making it the oldest building in the city. Admission is free. It is worthwhile stepping inside this Church of Sweden and stepping back into Medieval times.

Göran Olsgatan 4, 211 22 Malmö, Sweden
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Choir Singing at Sankt Petri Church in Malmö, Sweden - Encircle Photos

19 Choir Singing at Sankt Petri Church in Malmö, Sweden

Just by chance, I walked into the Sankt Petri Kyrka and was delighted to hear a performance by the Hägerstens Chamber Choir. They are a 35 member group from the Parish of Hagersten in Stockholm, Sweden. The ensemble is conducted by Kerstin Börjeson. Behind them is the St. Peter’s Church gilded altarpiece. It was created in 1611. At over 50 feet, Sankt Petri Church has the distinction of having the largest wooden altar in Europe.

Göran Olsgatan 4, 211 22 Malmö, Sweden
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Malmö City Theater Hipp Stage in Malmö, Sweden - Encircle Photos

20 Malmö City Theater Hipp Stage in Malmö, Sweden

On November 1, 1899, when The Hippodrome opened in Malmö, it was called the “most modern circus and theater.” Notice the Hippodrompassagen entrance on Kalendegatan that is shaped like a horseshoe. That fanfare was short lived, however, because the last circus performance was in 1922. It then became a full-time theater followed by being a church from 1950 until 1989. After an extensive renovation, the building now houses the Hipp, the largest of three stages operated by the Malmö City Theater. In Swedish it is called the Malmö Stadsteater.

Kalendegatan 12, 211 35 Malmö, Sweden
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Lilla Torg Square in Malmö, Sweden - Encircle Photos

21 Lilla Torg Square in Malmö, Sweden

Lilla Torg began as town square in 1592 and, after four hundred years, it lives on as the social epicenter of Malmö. This “Little Square” is lined with cobblestones and surrounded by quaint, half-timber buildings. A couple of them date back to the 16th century. On warm days, the locals flock here to eat, drink and talk in outdoor eateries and bars. Shown here is the Mellow Yellow, a restaurant specializing in Swedish and European cuisine.

Lilla torg 211 34 Malmö, Sweden
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Hedmanska Gården Half-timbered Façade in Malmö, Sweden - Encircle Photos

22 Hedmanska Gården Half-timbered Façade in Malmö, Sweden

On the south side of the Lilla Torg square in Malmö, Sweden is this half-timbered building called Hedmanska Gården. One look and you know it has a fascinating history. It was constructed during the 16th century as the first building on the Hedmanska Farm. Neighboring buildings were added during the 17th and 18th centuries. This is now the home of the Form/ Design Center showcasing innovative architectural and industrial designs.

Lilla torg 9 211 34 Malmö, Sweden
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Hedman Courtyard and Yellow House in Malmö, Sweden - Encircle Photos

23 Hedman Courtyard and Yellow House in Malmö, Sweden

The Hedmanska Gården façade facing the Lilla Torg square is historically impressive. This is one of five buildings from the Hedmanska Farm. It was first mentioned in a 1529 written record. Some people believe the family farm may have started in the 1400s. Don’t miss the opportunity to walk through the short tunnel to see this inner Hedman courtyard. It is named after Gabriel Hedman. He used this yellow, half-timbered building for grain storage starting in 1855.

Lilla torg 9 211 34 Malmö, Sweden
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FaxelHuset Half-timbered Façade in Malmö, Sweden - Encircle Photos

24 FaxelHuset Half-timbered Façade in Malmö, Sweden

This delightful half-timbered building in the Gamla Staden or old district of Malmö is the FaxelHuset. Proudly over the door the Faxeska house displays the year when it was constructed in 1580 and then rebuilt in 1846 and 1910. Above those dates is a sign decorated with grape bunches. This is a reference to when the Faxe brothers ran a successful wine business here called Adolf Faxe & Sons. The building is still owned by members of that family.

Larochegatan 4 211 34 Malmö, Sweden
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The Hotel Baltzar Tower in Malmö, Sweden - Encircle Photos

25 The Hotel Baltzar Tower in Malmö, Sweden

The Hotel Baltzar, recently rebranded as the Hotel Mortensen, is housed in this historic building that opened in 1899. It is located along Balzarsgatan which is a popular shopping district in center city. Some of the rooms’ décor include period furnishings, oriental rugs and antique chandeliers yet many of the amenities are new and modern.

Baltzarsgatan 45, 211 36 Malmö, Sweden
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Teen Boys Celebrating in Dump Truck in Malmö, Sweden - Encircle Photos

Teen Boys Celebrating in Dump Truck in Malmö, Sweden

These cheering teens are part of an annual Swedish tradition for celebrating the last day of high school. The girls wear white dresses and the boys don suits and white caps. They jam into dump trucks and are then driven around town accompanied by loud music and blaring horns. These students are graduates of the Peab School, a training program for construction, woodworking and masons. It is an alternative to the national high school program.

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Griffin Sculpture by Sivert Lindblom in Malmö, Sweden - Encircle Photos

26 Griffin Sculpture by Sivert Lindblom in Malmö, Sweden

Standing on an orb representing the world is this griffin wearing a gilded crown. The gryphon is a large, powerful beast from Greek mythology. The creature has the body of a lion plus the wings and face of an eagle. This bronze, outdoor art by Sivert Lindblom was created in 1999. The sculpture is prominently displayed in a square called Gustav Adolfs Torg.

Gustav Adolfs torg Gamla staden, Malmö, Sweden
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Quay from David Hall Bridge in Malmö, Sweden - Encircle Photos

27 Quay from David Hall Bridge in Malmö, Sweden

The David Hall Bridge – called Davidshalls Bron in Swedish – crosses over the Södra Förstadskanalen (South Suburban Canal). It was originally a swing bridge before becoming a permanent structure in 1880. In 1938, it was named after the David Hall Inn. This dancing pavilion, coffeehouse, circus and entertainment venue was located here from 1862 through 1886 and owned by David Lenander. Today, this cement platform and quay on Södra Vallgatan offers busy shoppers a place to rest and enjoy the view of the waterway.

Davidshallsbron 211 43 Malmö, Sweden
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Bronze Shoe Sculptures by Bengtsson in Malmö, Sweden - Encircle Photos

28 Bronze Shoe Sculptures by Bengtsson in Malmö, Sweden

Along the David Hall Bridge are 19 pairs of bronze shoes. They pay tribute to Malmö’s famous artists and performers. For example, the high-laced shoes represent Naima Wifstrand. She was a Swedish opera singer in the first half of the 20th century. The clogs are similar to those worn by Edvard Persson, a movie actor who starred in about 45 films. This delightful ensemble called “Way to Go” was created by Åsa Maria Bengtsson in 2014. The paddleboat is floating in the South Suburban Canal.

Davidshallsbron 211 43 Malmö, Sweden
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Stadsbibliotek City Library in Malmö, Sweden - Encircle Photos

29 Stadsbibliotek City Library in Malmö, Sweden

In 1901, the Malmö Museum had this brick, Renaissance building constructed on the southeast section of Slottsparken or the Castle Park. Then, in 1946, the Malmö City Library moved in. The Stadsbibliotek now refers to this building as The Castle or Schloss after they built an extension in 1997 called the Calendar of Light. The Cylinder connects the two structures.

Kung Oscars väg 11, 211 33 Malmö, Sweden
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Canal Between Slottsparken and Kungsparken in Malmö, Sweden - Encircle Photos

30 Canal Between Slottsparken and Kungsparken in Malmö, Sweden

Flowing between Slottsparken on the left and Kungsparken (King’s Park) on the right is this canal. It is seen here from the Fersens Bro, a bridge built in 1914. The tree-lined waters of the Parkkanalen offer a comforting respite from the surrounding bustle of Malmö. The Castle Park consists of 52 acres of greenspace plus a pond and a lake.

Fersens bro 211 37 Malmö, Sweden
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Fresh Fish Market Called Fiskehoddorna in Malmö, Sweden - Encircle Photos

31 Fresh Fish Market Called Fiskehoddorna in Malmö, Sweden

For one block on either side of a street named Banérskajen are these colorful buildings collectively called Fiskehoddorna. Each day the merchants in these stalls offer fresh fish and seafood caught by Malmo’s local fisherman in the Øresund sound. The tradition began in the late 1800s. The fish market moved to this location in 1956.

Fiskehoddorna Banérskajen 13, 211 18 Malmö, Sweden
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Turning Torso and Western Harbour in Malmö, Sweden - Encircle Photos

32 Turning Torso and Western Harbour in Malmö, Sweden

This stunning, white and twisted skyscraper is the Turning Torso. At 623 feet and 54 floors, it became Scandinavia’s tallest building when the apartment complex opened in 2005. In the foreground is Western Harbour along the Turbinkanalen or Turbine Channel. The Västra Hammen area is home to several restaurants. The Kockum Fritid sports complex features a swimming pool, gym and ice rink. There are also several bike paths and promenades. One walkway leads to a large park and the Ribersborg Beach.

Malmö Wake Park Ribersborgsstigen, 211 16 Malmö, Sweden
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World Trade Center at Western Harbour in Malmö, Sweden - Encircle Photos

33 World Trade Center at Western Harbour in Malmö, Sweden

Malmö’s Western Harbour was formerly the Kockums shipyard. It was dilapidated and contaminated before an extensive renovation launched in 2001 transformed the wasteland into a gorgeous neighborhood. Along the numerous waterways, greenspaces and walking paths are handsome apartments and offices. All of these structures are powered with 100% renewable energy. The primary source is generated by wind turbines. Eventually the area will house 30,000 people. The World Trade Center office tower is a shining example of the new architecture you will find at Västra Hammen.

Jungmansgatan 12F 211 19 Malmö, Sweden
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