Malmo, Sweden

Many a time I've said the city hall building will set the tone for a place. Is it a new modernistic structure or a drab concrete slab from the 1950's? Or in Malmo's case, a link with its past. Originally built in 1546, its facade was redefined in 1846 in the Dutch Renaissance style. What's not that unusual in Europe (as in the case here) when you walk around to the back of the building you'll find a modern building attached to this historic and beautiful structure.  

 With a population of 300,000 people, Malmo is Sweden's third largest city.

 The downtown shopping area is fantastic as it's car free.

 Lots of good-looking old buildings.

This street through downtown was specifically built for cyclists.

Kayakers gliding through Malmo's city center.

Like Copenhagen, Malmo is flat as a pancake. How come we don't do what the Danes and Swedes do and put free air stands around town for cyclists?

Malmohus Castle, built in the 1530's, is the oldest Renaissance castle in Scandinavia. Just so you know (as I was always confused): Scandinivia is comprised of Norway, Sweden and Denmark. When one says the Nordic countries it means Finland, Iceland as well as Norway, Sweden and Denmark.

Here's the front entrance of Malmohus Castle. The fortress now houses an art museum and an aquarium.

View of Malmohus Castle with moat.

Flowers in large park adjacent to castle.

 Large square in old town area of Malmo.

 Yep, sign says pedestrians only.

Must be a dozen restaurants in the square

 A colorful half-timbered building.

 Even courtyard areas are colorful.

 Another half-timbered structure.

 The big brown building is a hotel.

 Picture of the area outside Malmo central train station. Not as many bikes as in Copenhagen.

Who would have thought you'd find Sweden's tallest building in Malmo. Called the Turning Torso, it's 54-stories tall.  Completed in 2005, Malmo's landmark structure is the third tallest residential tower in Europe.