Sunday, January 11, 2015

Malmö, Sweden

Mary and I thought we would start 2015 in another country (besides Denmark of course), so we decided to go to Sweden.  Malmö, Sweden to be exact.

Malmö is located just east of Copenhagen, across the "Øresund", more commonly known in English as the Sound and is the strait that separates the Danish island Zealand from the southern Swedish province of Scania.  Or, just a 20 minute train ride from Copenhagen.

Malmö is a beautiful, old city founded in 1275.  It is the capital and most populous city in Skåne County, and the third largest city in Sweden. It is ranked the  7th-most bicycle friendly city in the world.

When we arrived at the train station it was a five minute walk to the hotel Mary had found for us.
Malmö Central Train Station

And what a find!  The hotel Mayfair, or "Tunneln" was wonderful.  An historical building with a medieval air the cellar was built in 1307 by a Danish Knight named Jens Uffesen.  He built a market square covering a city block.  All that remains of the original complex is the current Mayfair Hotel Tunneln and five of the original shops. These shops were probably hired by merchants who used them for commerce, storage and as residences.






 The hallways were covered in old photos, paintings, and drawings.


 In some spots you could see the old timber frame construction
 And as you can see, some floors had many levels!


 Sweden was actually ruled from this hotel for a time.  That means Mary and I were guests at the "Swedish Palace" !!!

As the hotel looked in the 1800's

 We had breakfast each morning in the cellar the Knight built in 1307.  The food of course was not that old.  (As a matter of fact, the breakfast served there was the best we have had!)






Mary and I also had breakfast where certain Beetles stayed!

Mary met a new friend.  I think it may have been the Danish Knight!  He wouldn't let go of her, I thought I would have to fight a duel!

 It was very cold and VERY windy, so we decided it was safer to do our touring on foot rather than on bicycle.



 Malmö City Hall



 My Bride



 Christmas Present Tree



Mary and I think this is where the Swedes go to launder their money





 An old Phone booth


 Some old codger Mary was hanging around with




 Malmö has many canals that used to be used for commerce


 The "Turning Torso", the tallest skyscraper in Sweden.  It has a 90 degree twist as it rises up from the foundation

 Malmö Castle


 Mary, freezing her @#$%^ off, but still smiling!

 Malmö Public Library.  It was beautiful


 All bicycle highways were marked with this brass plaque





 This windmill was still in use

 The "shiny" water is ice.  Yes, it was cold when we visited!

 Malmö Opera House


 The "Old Lighthouse" in Malmö harbor



 This giant lamp was in one of the city squares



 And there were statues everywhere!

 I really liked this one.  A man balanced on the rings

 There were statues with clothing



 And statues without clothing



 Shoes throughout the ages (really)


And even the storm grates were well done

This photo is a teaser for a blog to come.  I have been taking photos of all the different manhole covers I have seen here in Europe.  (I know, crazy but that's me).  The detail has been incredible.  Each city has at least one that shows the crest of the city.  This is only one of them I found in Malmö.

 In the middle of the city is St. Petri's Church, an enormous brick Lutheran church built in the 1300's.



 Check out the size of those windows







 This is the ceiling now.

But this is what it looked like originally.  WOW!!!!

Mary and I had a wonderful time in Malmö.  If you ever get a chance, visit this city.


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