Malm�: one of Sweden's most exciting cities

By: Andrew Regan
March 20, 2007

As the third largest city in Sweden, Malmo is a popular place to visit in Scandinavia. The city is one of the region's earliest industrial towns; however, the age of post-industrialism has seen Malmo transformed from a hub of manufacturing into a large university town which boasts an impressive world of arts, education and culture.

If you're visiting Malmo and you want to see the city's most interesting sights, why not visit Malmohus Castle? Located to the west of Malmo's old city, this building was first built in 1437 by Erik of Pomerania, before being inhabited by the kings of Denmark in the 1500s and used as a prison until 1914. Today, it is a history and art museum, as well as an aquarium and a terrarium that attracts a range of visitors.

Additionally, when you're in Malmo, make sure you visit the Mollevangstorget Square, located south of the city centre and which plays host to an open-air market every weekend. Malmo's newest landmark - the Turning Torso - is well worth a visit too. Completed in 2005, Malmo's Turning Torso is, at 190m tall, the tallest building in Scandinavia and is visible from almost any part of the city. It even has a waterfront promenade and a state-of-the-art skate park.

Malmo's cultural attractions will also be of interest to any tourist in the city, whether you pride yourself on being an active culture vulture or you're merely looking for interesting things to do in Malmo. The Municipal Theatre, for instance, was inaugurated in 1944 and began as a repertory; however, during the 1950s, legendary Swedish filmmaker Ingmar Bergman became its Director and Chief Stage Director and made the institution the site of one of the most important art scenes in the whole of Sweden. Today, the theatre showcases all forms of stage performance, from ballet to opera, and musical recitals to diverse theatrical experiments.

Furthermore, since the 1970s Malmo has also played host to a diversity of musical scenes and talents. Malmo has a long history of rock, dance and dub music, and recent musicians to have played in the city include the likes of B.B. King, Morrissey and Australian signer-songwriter Nick Cave.

If you're planning to visit Malmo, you'll find plenty of hotels in Malmo, from which you'll be able to enjoy all that this exciting city has to offer. Take a trip to Malmo for a Scandinavian city adventure with a difference - you won't be disappointed!

Andrew Regan is an online, freelance journalist.

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