Attractions

A Renaissance town created in 1614 by Christian IV, the "builder king" of Denmark, Kristianstad is eastern Skåne's most historic center. Thanks to a grid plan laid out by this long-ago king, it is also still easy to find your way around.

Those arriving at the train station are greeted by one of the city's major landmarks, Trefaldighertskyrkan, or the Holy Trinity Church, Västra Storgatan (tel. 044/20-64-00); it's the most beautiful Renaissance church in Scandinavia. Construction on it took place between 1617 and 1628, and it remains the apogee of all that was spectacular about the Renaissance-minded King Christian IV of Denmark. The grandiose exterior contains seven splendid spiraled gables; the high windows allow the light to flood inside. Inside, the vaulted design and slender granite pillars create an unusually beautiful architectural setting. Most of the church appointments date from the time of Christian IV, including the carved oak benches, the altarpiece, and the marble-and-alabaster pulpit, as well as the magnificent organ facade built in 1630. It's open daily 9am to 6pm year-round.

Directly across from the church lies Storatorg, the major town square, and the setting for the 19th-century Rådhus, or Town Hall, located on Västra Storgatan. The current town hall replaced an older building in 1891 and is built in Christian IV's Renaissance style like structures in Copenhagen. In a niche under the hands of the Town Hall clock stands a statue of Christian IV, a zinc copy of Bertel Thorvaldsen's bronze original that is in Christian IV's sepulcher in Denmark's Roskilde Cathedral. Step through the arms-emblazoned portal and you'll also be greeted by a bronze bust of Christian IV sculpted with exceptional skill by François Dieussart in 1643. The original stands in Rosenborg Palace in Copenhagen.

North of Storatorg is the Regionmuseet, Östra Boulevarden (tel. 044/13-52-45), sheltered in a structure that was originally intended as a royal palace for Christian IV in 1616. In time, however, it became an arsenal for Danish partisans during the bloody conflicts with Sweden. The building acquired its present look in the 1780s, becoming a regional museum in 1959. The art and handicraft collections here are worth seeing, especially the treasure-trove of silver. The works of local artists also are displayed, and there is an array of antique textiles of very minor interest. The museum is open June to August daily 11am to 5pm. Off-season hours are Tuesday to Sunday noon to 5pm (first Wed of every month until 9pm). Admission is free.

A short walk east of Storatorg will take you to the Filmmuseet (Film Museum), at Östra Storgatan 53 (tel. 044/13-57-29). It comes as a surprise to many visitors that Kristianstad -- not Stockholm -- was the cradle of the Swedish film industry. This unique museum is housed in the oldest film studio (from 1909) still standing in Sweden. Outside the door, you're greeted by an early movie camera; on videotape inside you can view the flickering works of Sweden's first film directors. It charges no admission and is open Tuesday to Friday and Sunday from 1 to 4pm.

When you tire of museums, head for Tivoli Park, which can be reached from the Film Museum by wandering down any of the roads to its right. The avenues of horse chestnut trees are perfect for strolling. In the park is a theater built in the Art Nouveau style in 1906 by Axel Anderberg, who designed the Stockholm Opera. At the north end of the park is Barbacka Cultural Center, a lively home for the town's art gallery.

The best way to admire the topography around Kristianstad involves taking a boat ride on the nearby lakes and rivers. From early May to mid-September, a sightseeing steamer departs from Kristianstad for 2-hour tours of Lakes Araslövs and Hammar, with time spent on the River Helgeå as well. Departures usually are daily at 11am, 2pm, and 6pm, and the cost is 120SEK ($24/£12) adults, 60SEK ($12/£6) children 4 to 14 years old. You can stake out some of the generous deck space to view the midsummer sunlight even at night. For information and reservations, contact the tourist office.