Half Day trip from Copenhagen
Lund is a charming university town known for its historic buildings, narrow streets, and cozy atmosphere. Lund University, established in 1666, is one of Scandinavia’s oldest and largest institutions for education and research. The university and its buildings dominate much of the centre of the city, and have led to Lund becoming a regional centre for high-tech industry.
We took a train from Copenhagen across the famous Øresund Bridge to Lund. The train journey is less than an hour long and we did not have to show any documents or passports.
- Bantorget
- Lilla Fiskaregatan
- Stortorget
- Lund cathedral
- Lund University and Lundagård
- Skissernas Museum
- Kulturen
Bantorget – After we got off the train we walked towards the city center, passing by a little square which had a cute fountain in the center. There was an Indian restaurant on one side of the square. There was also a impressive looking Grand Hotel near the square.
Lilla Fiskaregatan – We then got onto this street which was lined with shops and cafes. It is the main street in Lund and cars are not allowed in the street, but the middle of the street is reserved for bikers. All over Sweden (including Lund) bikers drive quite aggressively and pedestrians are invisible to them, so one has to be careful not to stray into bike lanes.
Stortorget – Lilla Fiskaregatan will lead you to Lund’s main square known as the Stortorget. One side of this square houses the Lund City Hall. It is a nice and peaceful place and a meeting point for locals and students. The square has comfortable wooden chairs in front of the city hall for people to relax and enjoy the atmosphere.
Lund Cathedral – This imposing Cathedral is just a few meters from Stortorget. Held as Sweden’s greatest piece of Romanesque architecture, Lund Cathedral has elements that have not been altered in 900 years. It is one of the oldest stone buildings still in use in Sweden. At the time of its construction, Lund and the cathedral belonged to Denmark.
The medieval cathedral contains several historic furnishings and works of art. Its main altarpiece was donated to the cathedral in 1398, and it also contains gothic choir stalls, bronzes and an astronomical clock from the 15th century (heavily restored in 1923). After the Reformation the cathedral was also equipped with a decorated pulpit. Recent updates include the large mosaic in the apse, installed in 1927. Lund Cathedral has six church organs, one of which is the largest in Sweden, and is also used as a concert venue.
The astronomical clock plays Monday-Saturday at 12pm and 3pm, Sundays at 1pm and 3pm
Lund University and Lundagård – As you walk beyond the Lund Cathedral, you will be in Lundagård, a central park or a green space between the university’s main building and the cathedral. Lund University offers a picturesque setting with impressive architecture and lush greenery, making it a very appealing campus to many. It is a great place to take a relaxed walk and admire the buildings, fountains and garden.
Lund University, Kungshuset – or King’s House is a historic building, commissioned by Danish king Frederick II and constructed between 1578 and 1584. Lund became part of Sweden in 1658 and Lund University was founded in 1666 to promote the Swedification of the Danish provinces. In 1688, King Charles XI donated Kungshuset to the university and it became the main building and library, accommodating the entire university until around 1800.
Lund University, Main Building – Construction for a new Lund University building, designed by Helgo Zettervall began in 1874, as the old main building Kungshuset had become too small for the growing number of students. The new building was inaugurated by King Oscar II in 1882. In the 1990s, four new sphinxes were placed on the roof.
There is a bust of Sven Nilsson (1787-1883) in front of the south facade of the main building. Nilsson was a professor of natural history and rector at Lund University and is known for his contributions to zoology and archaeology.
Lund University, Palaestra et Odeum – This historic building originally housed a gymnasium (Palaestra) and a concert hall (Odeum). Today, it is the university’s main music centre, with student-based music-making, concerts, lectures and education.
Lund University, Juridicum – This building was originally constructed for the Royal Telegraph Agency in 1914–1915 and was the home to Lund’s postal and telegraph station. Today, this building functions as the Lund university’s Faculty of Law.
Lund University, Library – This gorgeous ivy draped building university library is considered by many Swedes as the prettiest building in the country and I have to agree with them. It was named Sweden’s most beautiful building in 2019. The library was established in 1668 at the same time as the university and is one of Sweden’s oldest and largest libraries. The library was not open on the day we visited Lund.
Skissernas Museum – This is a unique art museum that focuses on the artistic creative process. It features the world’s largest collection of sketches, models and preparatory work for Swedish and international public art. We did not have time to go inside the museum. We only explored the nice sculptures displayed in the garden outside.
Kulturen – Lund’s open-air museum is the second oldest in Sweden after Stockholm’s. It opened in 1892 and is a whole historic quarter between the Cathedral and the Botanical Garden. Some of the museum’s buildings have always stood at this spot, while others have been moved to the museum in pieces to ensure their preservation. There are around 30 exhibition rooms in this wonderful space, allowing you to immerse yourself in daily and working life on the Lund Peninsula in bygone times. There are also architectural fragments in the gardens from demolished medieval churches, and runestones in the lapidarium.
We did not have time to visit this museum but is worth a visit if you have time.