SWEDEN : MALMÖ
Malmö is the third largest city in Sweden. It is located in the
southernmost province of Scania . The city is a commercial hub and a
cosmopolitan metropolis. But with a population of some 270,000 people
who between them speak more than 100 languages and have roots from many
different countries. It has more parks, gardens and restaurants per
capita than any other city in Sweden. Malmö also features many
attractions dating back to the Middle Ages. Throughout Skåne there are
more than 200 castles and manor houses, many of them open to tourists,
and the many inns offer the province´s delectable cuisine.
Malmö has been founded in 1254, the year of Copenhagen's first town
privileges, or in the immediately following years, as the archbishop's
of Lund fortified quay or ferry berth, It was the good fishing that
atracted peoplehere, and for many hundreds of years the locals exported
salt herring from here. In the 16th century Malmö and Copenhagen would
rise in economic importance, and until this day this pattern has
persisted. Despite Lund (and to lesser degree Roskilde) being culturally
of much greater importance, Malmö and Copenhagen have been centers for
industrious and economic success. The disunity between the burghers of
Lund and Malmö has remained a fundamental characteristic, the former
relying on tradition the latter on modernity and adaption. Malmö was,
for instance, a leading hanseatic town during the decades of the Hansa's
dominance in the region, and leading the process of Protestant
Reformation in Denmark of the 1530s. Even after the secession to Sweden,
in 1658, Malmö continued to hold its dominant role.
Malmö is not an "old" city, although much of its history is preserved in
its architecture. It has undergone massive change at several levels, and
will continue to do so. The most notable of these changes is the city's
transformation from industrial city into a seat of higher learning,
technology and modern housing. Malmö University, which first opened its
doors in 1998, has in just a short period of time become Sweden's
eighth-largest institution of higher education, with more than 21,000
students.
The city is gaining in popularity as a tourist destination. It retains
much historical charm with an "old town" section filled with small
shops. Malmö also offers a late-medieval castle, housing a small city
museum and a fairly large art gallery.
Nightlife and music scene are mainly centered around two places: Lilla
Torg ("Little Square") is encircled by trendy pubs and upmarket night
clubs, while the district of Möllevången ("the Mill Meadow") houses
hang-outs for artists and good opportunities for live music.
Västra Hamnen (The Western Harbour) used to be the location for heavy
industry but in 2001 it was rebuilt as a neighbourhood of exclusive
apartments, including those in the Turning Torso. The tower is a
spectacular twisting skyscraper of 190 metres (623 feet). Its siluette
can be seen from anyhwere in Malmö. It is the second highest residential
building in Europe. The long boardwalk at the beach has become a new
favourite summer hang-out for the people of Malmö and is a popular place
for bathing.
