Helsingborg, Sweden Show Segment
The Skane of Sweden offers some alluring spots and tasty treats. HELSINGBORG The Swedish town of Helsingborg is strategically located at the narrowest part of the Oresund, opposite the Danish town of Elsinore. Because of the early hour we headed on our bus for a tour of Helsingborg. Our first stop was at the courtyard of what is left of Helsingborg’s medieval castle, the Keep. Throughout the town, the rhododendrons were in bloom as we traveled the streets and headed north out of the city to a small fishing village. Here we were able to enjoy the quiet of the morning, see the windmills up close and visit a church built in 1825. The interior was decorated with various model sailing vessels hung from the ceiling. The pillars were made of wood, yet painted to look marble-like in texture. While enjoying the beauty of the church, we were also treated to an organ recital by Bob and then Jean. The magnificent organ and pipes filled the building with great sound.
Next we stopped at an old Skane farm, Lundgren’s Teahouse for a midmorning treat of coffee and unbelievable tasty fresh baked goods at their outside cafe. The delicacies for sale were also, irresistible. The grounds were filled with flowers, small animals and a gift shop. This tea room was awarded a letter of approval by the Royal family in 1945 by King Gustav VI Adolf who used to frequent the establishment. We can attest to the beauty of area and the tastiness of the baked goods.
Next stop the fishing village, Molle. Here we saw the striking contrast of the resort like buildings and the bunkers left over from World War II. An interesting combination. Back on the road and on to Krapperup, where the public can walk around the magnificent grounds. The buildings other then the main house, are used for various festivals throughout the year. The main house has a moat around it and stars painted one side of the building in honor of one of the residents. We did our own tour of the gardens, with Maggie acting as our botanist. A wonderful walk, through a winding lane, lined with various types of trees, and flowers, that goes out from the back of the house and then brings you back to the front of the property. Several small ponds with ducks complete this nature walk.
Back in Helsingborg we settled in at the Mollberg Hotel, located in the heart of the downtown, by the waterfront and close to the shopping and many eateries.
The main square is more of a boulevard, encircled by tall buildings decorated with fancy pediments and filled with shopping opportunities.
For dinner we headed to Orenas Castle. Situated on an elevated site, with a magnificent view of the Sound and the small island of Ven. This building has had many owners throughout the years. The enlargement of the park grounds and the addition of balconies, verandahs and towers was done in 1883. Carl Tranchell owned the house from 1914 thru 1918 and is responsible for the appearance of the house as it stands. During the last two years of the war, the castle was used to house Estonian refugees. Finally in 1992, the Swedish Confederation of Trade unions purchased the house and for the second time the Orenas Slott was owned by trade union organizations
To finish the day we headed to Raa, a village burned by the Russians in 1789, but now a busy fishing area with typical Swedish houses and boats headed out to the island of Ven where Tycho Brahe’s observatory is located. We headed back to the Mollberg Hotel to spend the night before our day trip to Copenhagen.
When we remember this day, we will remember; the quiet fishing villages, the magnificent gardens abloom with color, the Tearoom, with its gardens, animals and marvelous baked goods; and the beauty of southern Sweden.
