Summary
During medieval times, Lund served as the seat of an archbishopric that exerted influence over all Nordic countries. This ecclesiastical power is exemplified by the remarkable cathedral, which stands as the most significant Romanesque structure in Scandinavia. A visit to Lund’s greenery, known for its esteemed university and as the filming location for the concluding scenes of Ingmar Bergman’s classic film Wild Strawberries, is essential.
Sweden’s second oldest outdoor museum is located in the heart of the city, featuring a quaint district filled with historic buildings that showcase traditional trades and past lifestyles prior to the onset of industrialization. As a hub of higher education, Lund offers numerous educational attractions affiliated with the university, including its botanical garden and a distinguished museum dedicated to preliminary sketches of renowned artists.
Let us examine the best activities to engage in while visiting Lund:
1. Lund Cathedral
Regarded as Sweden’s finest example of Romanesque architecture, Lund Cathedral possesses features that have remained unchanged for 900 years.
The oldest sections combine Rhenish and Lombard styles, prominently displayed in the apse and crypt.
Descend to admire the ornate pillars and the altar that dates back to 1123. Above, one can find an exquisite astronomical clock crafted in 1380, where two automaton knights signify the hours, while the dial indicates the sun’s position and the lunar phases.
In the dimly lit choir area—illuminated solely through narrow Romanesque windows—observe the 14th-century stalls and proceed towards the altar to witness the splendid gilded Gothic altarpiece from 1382.
2. Kulturen
Kulturen serves as Lund’s open-air museum, recognized as the second oldest in Sweden after Stockholm’s.
Established in 1892, it comprises a historic quarter located between the Cathedral and the Botanical Garden.
Some of the museum’s edifices have been present on this site for centuries, while others were relocated in segments for preservation purposes.
This captivating venue contains about 30 exhibition spaces, providing insight into the daily and work life of the Lund Peninsula during earlier times.
The larger structures house a collection of over two million artifacts, including silverware, porcelain, and jewelry from the Scania region.
Visitors can also explore architectural fragments from demolished medieval churches, alongside runestones in the lapidarium.
3. Botanical Garden
The University of Lund has operated a botanical garden since 1690, with multiple relocations before settling in its current eight-hectare site in 1868. At that point, the garden already showcased over 6,000 species, and today it hosts an additional 1,000.
Approximately 200 of these species are housed in a greenhouse, which is categorized into nine unique climate zones.
For those curious about flora, flower beds, and greenhouse exhibits are labeled for easy identification.
The optimal time to visit is between May and July when the gardens are in full bloom, allowing guests to relax at the café by the pond over coffee and conversation.
4. Museum of Sketches for Public Art
This unique museum offers visitors an exclusive look into the creative processes of some of the most prominent Swedish and international artists.
The exhibit features preliminary sketches and models from over 1,000 artists across 30 countries.
In the international sculpture room, for instance, one can observe various models created by Henry Moore for his work, Hill Arches.
Additionally, preparatory works from other notable 20th-century artists, including Henri Matisse, Fernand Léger, and Diego Rivera, are also on display.
Outside, visitors may stroll through the sculpture park featuring 20 works by Swedish artists such as Elli Hemberg and Arne Jones.
5. Stadsparken
Located to the southwest of the city center is Stadsparken, originally designed in 1911. While the botanical garden serves educational purposes, Stadsparken is designed for relaxation, exercise, and recreation.
The facilities include a skate park, a delightful playground with climbing structures, Lund’s only indoor swimming pool, an outdoor gym, a ten-kilometer hiking trail, and even a parkour course.
People seeking tranquility will find vast lawns, pathways bordered by mature hardwoods, and a formal garden adorned with approximately 7,000 perennials.
These landscaped areas occupy the site where Lund’s medieval city hall, Högevall, once stood.
6. Lund University Historical Museum
Situated on Krafts Torg, the university’s historical museum boasts a history of over 200 years and is the second-largest institution of its kind in Sweden.
The current structure, built in the 1840s, became the museum’s home in 1918. The vast collection comprises over ten million artifacts, as the institution is responsible for documenting discoveries across Skåne County.
Exhibits include Stone Age tools and weapons, finds from the Iron Age settlement at Uppåkra, thousands of coins, and numerous examples of medieval liturgical art.
The museum also features a gallery of classical artifacts obtained through excavations carried out by the university abroad.
7. Drotten Church Ruins
This 51-meter church from the 11th century was previously the center of the archbishopric in Lund but was demolished during the Reformation in the 15th century.
The site was rediscovered in excellent condition during excavations in the 1970s and 1980s, with the churchyard and remnants of the Lord’s Church presented in an underground museum.
During the excavation, an even older church, dating back to the 900s, was uncovered at the north wall of the Lord’s Church, which has been suggested as the first stone church in Skåne.
Admission is free, and information panels provide insights into the historical significance of the ruins and artifacts discovered during the excavation.
8. Holy Cross Priory, Dalby
Just a ten-minute trip southeast from Lund leads you to the Nordic region’s oldest surviving stone church.
Founded in 1060, it temporarily served as the bishop’s seat before relocating a short distance to Lund.
The most captivating feature within this atmospheric Romanesque structure is the baptismal font, which dates to the 11th century and is carved from sandstone quarried in Höör.
This baptismal font is the oldest one in use in Scandinavia, adorned with intricate carvings of human figures and animals on its base, along with reliefs depicting Christ’s baptism on its sides.
9. Lund University Main Building (Universitetshuset)
The inception of Lund University can be traced back to the 15th century; however, it was officially established in 1666 near the cathedral.
It currently ranks as one of Europe’s most prestigious universities, gaining significant acclaim for its research in the medical field.
The institution oversees several of Lund’s museums, yet if there is one must-see sight, it is the main building situated across Lundagård park from the cathedral.
This prominent whitewashed building, constructed in 1882, is designed in a Neoclassical style by Helgo Zettervall.
Examine the pilasters, Corinthian columns, and pediments adorning the façade, and be sure to notice the four stone sphinxes perched atop the roof.
10. Lundagård
The lush space separating the cathedral from the University Main Building also possesses a rich history.
Since the cathedral’s completion in the 12th century, it was enclosed within walls, serving as a section of the city that included the university and various religious institutions.
The locality was previously home to financial buildings, the royal mint, and Krafts Torg, which served as Lund’s primary trading hub before it later transformed into a cemetery.
The wall was ultimately dismantled in 1840, disappointing the university’s students, with the last of three surviving gates being the entrance to Kulturen.
11. All Saints’ Church
Another contribution by Helgo Zettervall to the Lund skyline emerged in the late 1890s, with the design of this grand Neo-Gothic church.
The initiative arose after Lund Cathedral was determined to be insufficient to accommodate the growing number of worshippers, prompting Bishop Johan Henrik Thomander to seek a replacement earlier that century.
Even today, the church’s dimensions impress, featuring a 72-meter tower and capacity for 2,000 attendees.
A wealth of ornamental details is available for exploration, particularly the stained glass windows in the choir, crafted in Innsbruck to depict Christ’s Ascension.
12. Vattenhallen Science Center
This interactive science museum operates in collaboration with the University of Lund, primarily targeting a young audience.
During weekends and school breaks, the planetarium hosts two astronomy shows daily, conducted by the university’s astronomy postgraduates and faculty.
The range of activities changes frequently and requires participants to engage actively, whether by climbing a “digiwall,” testing their stability on a tremble test, conducting experiments, or building various projects.
13. Lund Art Gallery (Konsthall)
For those seeking a taste of local culture, the city’s art gallery provides a space for contemplation and discussion of contemporary art.
The building, established in 1957, is noteworthy for its design by 20th-century Modernist Klas Anshelm, featuring large glass panels that immerse the gallery in natural light.
While most exhibitions focus on Scandinavian art, a couple of international shows are held annually, complemented by a free catalog produced for each exhibition.
The gallery also includes a research room and studio, with free admission to all lectures and exhibits, thus offering ample opportunities for inspiration and creative engagement.
14. Lundahoj
As a youthful university town, Lund is an idyllic cyclist’s paradise, where many individuals traverse the streets on two wheels.
The abundant greenery and minimal traffic volume (with most inhabitants opting for bicycles) enhances safety and convenience.
Visitors can take advantage of the Lundahof bike-sharing program, which offers 250 bicycles stationed at 17 locations throughout the city.
Regardless of how many rides are taken in a day, the first half hour is complimentary due to the “30 Minute Rule,” ensuring bike availability at all times.
This allows for convenient city exploration without incurring any costs.
15. Skrylle
A drive or a regular bus service can transport visitors to this expansive natural area located approximately ten minutes east of Lund.
Within Dalby Söderskog National Park, ten different reserves comprise deep forests, moorlands, a former quarry, and several ponds.
Some sections of the woodland represent old-growth environments, and numerous well-marked trails are available, three of which are illuminated for nighttime use.
The Lund City Council operates a small visitor center and museum in the park, providing insights into the human history, geology, and biodiversity present in this habitat.
