Malmo Introduction Walking Tour (Self Guided), Malmo

Main Square was first created in 1540 and is the largest and oldest square in Malmo. In its heyday, it was also the largest market square in Northern Europe. Mayor Jörgen Kock created the square by demolishing the old Catholic Church and monastery after the Reformation.

An impressive equestrian statue depicting King Karl X Gustav stands at the center of the square. King Karl X Gustav conquered former Danish provinces and united them with the Swedish Empire in 1658.

From the 16th to the 19th century, the square was home to a central city fountain. This fountain provided drinking water to many city businesses and homes through wooden pipes. Today, an ornamental fountain is in its place.

The square is home to many historical buildings, including Malmo City Hall, the Kocksa Huset, and the Lion Pharmacy.

Main Square frequently hosts large events such as the popular week-long Malmo Festival in the summer. The festival features culture, art, and music and hosts over one million visitors each year.

Located in the historical heart of Malmo on the expansive Stortorget Square, the Malmo City Hall (Rådhuset) is a striking testament to the architectural evolution of this Swedish city. Originally built between 1544 and 1547 under the direction of Jörgen Kock, this grand building has played a central role in Malmo's administrative history and is noted as one of the largest town halls from the 16th century.

Through centuries, the structure has undergone significant transformations. The most notable came around 1860 when it was bestowed with an ornate Dutch Renaissance facade, as part of extensive restoration efforts to revive its medieval grandeur. This period also saw the addition of elaborate stucco work on the upper floor ceilings, enhancing its aesthetic appeal.

One of the building's historical elements, the vaulted cellars, retains its medieval ambiance and now houses the Rådhuskällaren, a highly regarded restaurant that offers a unique dining experience beneath the city hall. Above, the Knut Hall, inspired by the Hall of Mirrors in Versailles Palace, and the luxurious Bernadotte Room, reserved for royal and diplomatic engagements, continue to add to the building’s prestige and functionality.

Today, Malmo City Hall stands not only as a beacon of the city's rich history but also as a vibrant venue for balls, special events, and culinary enjoyment, making it a focal point of civic pride and cultural heritage in Malmo.

Saint Peter's Church is Malmo's oldest church and the city's oldest preserved brick building. Originally, it was Malmo's only parish church. Saint Peter's Church was constructed on the site of an earlier church between 1319 and 1380. The church features Brick Gothic architecture and was constructed with red brick.

After the original tower collapsed in 1420, a new tower was built. The tower was renovated in 1442 and 1890. The imposing tower is 98 meters (322 feet) tall. During the 15th and 16th centuries, five side chapels were built. Three of the side chapels survive today. The church porch was built in the 15th century.

Swedish scholar and architect Carl Georg Brunius renovated the church in the 1800s. The roof was replaced with a copper roof, and many bricks were replaced. In addition, the church was renovated several times in the 1900s.

The interior is dominated by its 25-meter tall (82 foot) nave. The whitewashed interior features beautiful medieval murals from the 15th and 16th centuries.

Saint Peter's oak altarpiece is impressively large, reaching 15 meters (49 feet) tall. The altarpiece dates to 1611 and features four levels depicting various Biblical scenes.

The pulpit was inaugurated in 1599. It was crafted with black limestone, light sandstone, and gilt and features scenes from Christ's life.

Similar to the pulpit, the baptismal font was crafted from black limestone and dedicated in 1601. The octagonal font features Biblical scenes.

Saint Peter's has a 1951 organ with an older facade. The church's small library houses books from the 16th century.

Lion Pharmacy was built in 1896 and is one of Malmo's most distinctive landmarks. The pharmacy owner, John Tesch, wanted the building to be eye-catching. When construction was completed, Lion Pharmacy was one of Europe's largest pharmanies.

The pharmacy is also known as Tesch's palace. John Tesch had apartments in the pharmacy and even had a very modern elevator to reach his apartments.

In the 18th and 19th centuries, each pharmacy in Sweden was assigned an animal symbol to differentiate the pharmacies. This pharmacy was awarded the lion symbol and is known as Lion Pharmacy.

The Lion Pharmacy has a beautiful art-nouveau interior. It features meticulously carved wooden shelves with vintage medicine bottles and a stunning glass-plated ceiling.

On the side of the building, visitors can admire original late 19th century and early 20th-century hand-painted advertisements. The pharmacy's facade features elaborate reliefs. At the top of the building, visitors will notice the Rod of Asclepius, the Greek symbol for medicine and healing.

The facade also features John Tesch's bust and a fabulous relief of cherubs acting as pharmacists.

As its name suggests, Little Square is a small but charming square. The square was created in 1590 as a marketplace square. Shoppers would visit the square to buy daily household goods. Local maids would shop for meat, freshly baked bread, fish, and general groceries.

The square is paved with natural stones and invites locals and tourists to stay and enjoy the cozy atmosphere.

Little Square features old houses, boutique shops, outdoor cafes, friendly restaurants, and intimate bars. Visitors will enjoy shopping at the Swedish shops and exploring Scandi style fashion, and admire the centuries old houses in the surrounding area.

Little Square is known for its nightlife. Check out Drumbar, Malmo's only Scottish pub. Moosehead Bar often shows international sports. Mello Yello has a yellow outdoor seating area and is one of Malmo's most popular spots for eating, drinking, and people-watching.

Hedmanska Garden is located on the south side of the square. This half-timbered house dates to the 1590s. The house's courtyard is home to the Form/Design Center, which features a gallery and exhibitions.

Sodergatan is Malmo's main shopping street. The pedestrian-only street is home to a large variety of stores.

Visitors will find budget-friendly brands, high-end fashion, and vintage clothing. In addition, the cobblestone street is also home to many cafes, restaurants, and bars.

Sodergatan is also one of Malmo's oldest streets. It was first known as Sönnergatan in 1462. Over the years, the street has had many name changes until it was finally named Södergatan in 1842.

The buildings along Sodergatan feature architecture from the 16th century up to the present day. Flensburgska Huset was constructed on Sodergatan Street in the late 16th century. Flensburgska Huset is the oldest building in Malmo and features layers of white stone and red brick. Baltzar City is one of the street's newest buildings, dedicated in 2002.

Visitors to Sodergatan Street can also find the famous Optimistorkestern sculpture. This charming artwork shows a marching band led by a drummer.

Gustav Adolfs Square (Gustav Adolfs Torg), often referred to simply as "Gustav" by locals, is a central and historic square in Malmö. Situated between Stortorget and Triangeln, this park-like square has long been a key location in the city's urban layout and public transportation network. The square’s name pays tribute to King Gustav IV Adolf, who resided in Malmö from November 1806 to May 1807, during which time the city temporarily served as Sweden’s capital.

Gustav Adolf Square’s history dates back to 1804, when Gustav IV Adolf initiated urban changes, including the creation of the square and Drottningtorget. Under Nils Mannerskantz’s supervision, canals were dug, and wetlands drained, integrating new districts and the Old Cemetery into Malmö’s expansion. The square became a transit hub with horsecar traffic in 1887 and electric trams in 1906–07, serving as the tram network center until 1973. Today, it remains a key node for Malmö’s bus network.

The square is surrounded by an array of architectural landmarks. The old Malmö Theater, with its preserved Neoclassical facade, once dominated the square but now houses modern establishments like H&M. Other notable buildings include the French Neo-Renaissance "Rivieran," the early 20th-century "Valhalla Palace," and the modernist "Trygghuset" building.

Several artistic and structural elements further enhance the square’s character. In 1914, Anders Jönsson’s sculpture Lekande Barn was installed, and in 1934, the Öresund fountain was added. A significant redesign in 1997 by landscape architect Sven-Ingvar Andersson introduced new features such as low pillar lights and granite walls.

The Old Graveyard (Gamla Kyrkogarden), located at Gustav Adolfs Square in the heart of Malmö, is a tranquil and historically significant site dating back to the early 19th century. The cemetery was established between 1820 and 1822, and officially consecrated on November 24, 1822, with Bishop Wilhelm Faxe presiding over the inauguration. Initially known as the New Cemetery, it retained this title until 1870, when the northern section of Saint Pauli Cemetery opened, prompting the older site to be renamed the Old Graveyard.

The cemetery offers a peaceful retreat for locals and visitors, serving as both a place of reflection and a unique open-air museum of Malmö’s past. Strolling along the shaded paths, one can discover inscriptions on gravestones that tell the stories of families who were instrumental in shaping Malmö's development during the 1800s and early 1900s. The diversity of memorials, ranging from modest headstones to elaborate sculptures adorned with intricate inscriptions, adds to the graveyard’s charm and historic ambiance.

One of the notable features of the Old Graveyard is a sculpture by the renowned Swedish artist Carl Milles. Titled “God the Father on the Arch of Heaven,” the sculpture depicts an angel peering upward, assisting God the Father as he arranges the stars. Although this piece is a smaller model of a grander work that was never completed, it stands as a testament to Milles’ artistic vision and serves as a point of interest for art enthusiasts and history buffs alike.

Despite being an active cemetery with occasional urn burials, the Old Graveyard is primarily maintained as a cultural heritage site. Since 1988, a memorial grove has been available for those seeking a final resting place in this historic ground. Preservation efforts ensure that gravestones, iron fences, and other memorials are carefully restored and maintained to retain the graveyard’s historic integrity and picturesque atmosphere.

King Oscar II opened King's Park in 1872. The site used to be part of Malmo Castle, and the park is Malmo's oldest. Architect Ove Høegh Hansen designed the romantic park, which was inspired by English parks. King's Park is a wonderful place to walk, explore, or enjoy a picnic on the extensive grounds.

KIng's Park features ponds, ancient trees, and beautiful landscaping. The park is home to over 130 mature exotic trees from around the world. In addition, visitors will find an organic vegetable garden.

An 1882 cast-iron fountain stands at the center of the park. In addition to the fountain, there's an old man-made cave. This cave was the park's main attraction when the park first opened. The cave was renovated in 1987 and now features a fountain depicting Ormet's snakehead.

The legend behind the fountain comes from the Icelandic Edda, a collection of ancient Nordic poems. It tells the story of the giant Loki's punishment for murdering Balder. Loki was tied under a serpent, Ormet, who dripped poison on him. The fountain drips water from the snake's tongue to a carved bowl below. The height difference makes each drop dramatic.

In 1881, King Oscar II opened Park restaurant. This building now hosts the Casino Cosmopol, Malmo's only casino.

The first Malmo Castle was built in 1434, when Sweden, Denmark, and Norway were united under one king. The alliance dissolved, and Malmo became a part of Denmark. After the castle was partially demolished in battle, King Christian III of Denmark built a new castle in the 1530s. Malmo Castle is Scandinavia's oldest preserved Renaissance castle.

From 1568-1573, James Hepburn, the 4th Earl of Bothwell, was imprisoned here. James Hepburn was Mary, Queen of Scots' third husband. He was suspected of the murder of Mary's second husband but had been released from the Tower of London.

In 1607, Christian IV of Denmark added a storehouse featuring Dutch Renaissance gables.

After the Swedes gained control of Malmo, they modernized the castle in 1658 with a new defense system, including the moat. Over later centuries, the castle fell into disrepair and was used as a granary and an arsenal. The castle functioned as a prison from 1828 until 1909. In the 1930s, the castle was restored to reflect Renaissance style.

Visitors can see the royal rooms with ancient portraits. Don't miss the Bible in the entrance hall. This Bible belonged to Christian IV of Denmark and was printed in 1633.

Today, the castle houses the Malmo Art Museum and the Natural History Museum of Malmo. The Natural History Museum features an earthquake simulator. The Art Museum features Nordic Art and photo exhibitions.

Why You Should Visit:
The Castle tells the story of Malmo's intriguing history. Visitors could spend a whole day at Malmo Castle between the castle and the museum exhibits.

Tips:
One entrance fee covers access to the castle and both museums. Be sure and grab an English language guide at the entrance as most of the exhibits are not translated.