Kristianstad: Natural Areas, Museums and Historic Urban Structure

Natural Areas and Trails around Kristianstad

Kristianstad can be explored through two closely connected aspects: the natural area around Ã…rummet and the historic urban structure with its museums, churches and preserved buildings. The Ã…rummet nature reserve is located near the centre of Kristianstad. This area is home to Naturum Vattenriket, which also serves as a gateway to the Kristianstads Vattenrike Biosphere Reserve. For visitors, this place combines an exhibition with the opportunity to ride the Opteryx.

The Utemuseum Årummet offers a special perspective on the landscape. It is an observation shelter with views over the wetlands and the city. The Linnérundan runs along Årummet and complements the natural experiences in the immediate surroundings. Tivoliparken also shapes the cityscape with many unusual tree species as well as several old and large trees. Several trail systems lead through the park; its north-eastern section is also home to the large themed Väsenlekplatsen playground.

Those wishing to explore Kristianstad by bicycle can take the Kristianstadsturen, a nature-oriented cycling tour that begins in the centre and follows quiet roads through the Skåne countryside. From this route, it is possible to make a detour across the bridge over the Helge å to Naturum Vattenriket. This means that the nature area, exhibition and cycling tour are available as different, interconnected points of interest, without requiring visitors to experience them in the same way.

Urban History, Museums and Buildings

The Regionmuseet Kristianstad has permanent exhibitions dedicated to the history of Kristianstad and the landscapes of Skåne through the ages. It also presents several temporary exhibitions throughout the year. The same building houses Kristianstads konsthall, which presents contemporary Swedish and international art in several exhibitions each year. The Filmmuseet focuses on events and personalities in Kristianstad that shaped the early development of feature films. At Järnvägsmuseet Kristianstad, you can learn about railway history, earlier eras of train travel and historic railway environments. The museum opened at the former Kristianstad Södra railway station; this former function of the site is part of its historical context.

A prominent example of the city’s older history is Heliga Trefaldighets kyrka. It was built from 1618 to 1628 and consecrated on 8 June 1628. The church is regarded as an example of the architectural style of Christian IV and has largely preserved its interior and exterior appearance from its consecration in 1628.

The former fortifications can also still be traced in the cityscape. The fortification plan of Kristianstad encompassed the entire central city; its course can still be followed in the urban layout and itself constitutes a historic monument. Norreport was originally part of these city fortifications and marked the northern boundary of the city. Fyrkappan originally served as a guardroom at Kristianstad’s northern city gate, Norreport, and was built in 1801.

The Norra kasern is another well-preserved building. It was built between 1754 and 1768 and is well preserved both outside and inside. Its completely preserved layout, based on the so-called block system, is the only one of its kind in Sweden. Tivoliparken adds a more recent park history to the historic sites: it was created in the first half of the 19th century, when the area between the western side of the fortified city and the Helge å, which had previously been periodically flooded, was gradually planted with trees and developed as a promenade area for the city’s residents.

For further destination options, you can also visit Huaröd, Färlöv, Degeberga, Åhus, Tollarp, Östra Sönnarslöv and Fjälkinge.

Return to the main travel overview: Kristianstad.