- Address: Slottshagsgatan 252 23 Helsingborg, Sverige
- Phone: +46 42 10 59 91
- Official website: helsingborg.se
- Height: 35 m
The symbol of the Swedish city of Helsingborg is the medieval tower Kernan (Kärnan), which translates as "core". This is the only surviving part of the Danish fortress, guarding the access to the port at the narrowest point of the Straits of Øresund.
Description of the structure
The fortification was built by the ingenious architect Valdemar Atterdag in 1310 on the orders of the King of Denmark Eric the Sixth Menved. The tower of Chernan has a height of 35 m and consists of 8 floors connected by a narrow spiral staircase. It was built of brick on the site of an ancient wooden fortification, which was built during the reign of the legendary monarch Frodi.
The tower of Chernan was a living room, the walls in its lower part reach a thickness of 4.5 m, and the entire circumference is 60 m. The rooms on the ground floors have narrow loopholes instead of windows, hence they often fired at enemies. Initially, this structure was surrounded by an additional wall, which has not survived to this day.
Sweden received this castle according to the Roskilde Treaty in 1658, however, after 18 years, Denmark again won the fort. The invaders mounted a flag at the peak of the tower, which today can be seen in the Military Museum in Stockholm . In 1679 a truce was established between the countries, and the strengthening passed to its current master. King Charles the Eleventh to stop military operations, ordered to dismantle the structure, leaving for the descendants only a tower.
What is Chernan today?
At present, the construction is the main reference point for ships that pass through the Öresund strait. The tower is also considered an architectural symbol of the city and its main attraction .
Today at the very top of the tower of Chernan there is a special observation deck, from where a surprisingly beautiful view of the strait and the city opens. In order to get to the top, tourists need to overcome 146 steps. Still here you can visit a small museum, which stores old mock-ups, documents and personal belongings of the inhabitants of the castle.
Features of visit
For visitors to the tower of Chernan there is parking near the building, guided tours and audio guides are available in Swedish, English and German. The cost of the ticket is $ 5.5, children under 18 years old admission is free, but it is possible only accompanied by an adult. Groups of 10 or more people have a 10% discount, but reservations need to be made in advance.
In order to ensure security at the top of Chernan, only 10-15 people can climb to it at the same time. The institution operates according to this schedule:
- in March and October from 10:00 to 15:00 and only on weekends;
- in April and May from Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 15:00;
- from June to August every day from 10:00 to 18:00;
- in September from Tuesday to Friday from 09:00 to 16:00.
In July, with good weather, the tower Chernan works in the evenings, so that visitors can see the sunset over the strait, listen to the history of the castle and have fun. For those tourists who are difficult to overcome the stairs, there is an elevator. Its cost is $ 1.5.
How to get there?
The tower of Chernan is located on the Stortorget Square in the territory of the park Slottshagsparken. From the center of Helsingborg , you can walk along the streets of Norro Storgatan, Sodra Storgatan and Hamntorget. Travel time - up to 10 minutes.