My Trip to Helsingborg - Sofiero Gardens and the City Museum

Hello friends. Today I want to share my trip to Helsingborg with you. This place is located in a wonderful, postcard perfect region called Skåne in southern Sweden. We started our journey at Sofiero, a very interesting royal residence. This site consists of a castle and an extremely beautiful park and garden. I had not visited parks or gardens in quite a while. We took a walk here and explored this impressive northern landscape and garden.

In the middle of the nineteenth century King Oscar II decided to build a resting place for his queen Sofia. In fact the name of the location comes from this. Sofiero meaning Queen Sofia's resting place. Later he gifted this property to his son Gustaf Adolf and his new British bride, Princess Margareta. Princess Margareta was a true gardening enthusiast. And she immediately set to work arranging this beautiful place and creating this park. But unfortunately she passed away at a young age. However, Gustaf Adolf continued the work she started and kept developing the garden. Today we are enjoying the heritage they left behind.

Frankly the garden is definitely the most distinctive feature of this property. Because the castle itself cannot really be called a castle in the sense of those grand royal castles we picture in our minds. This is more of a manor, perhaps a nobleman's summer house. It does not quite seem fitting for a king's glory. The castle was recently restored and an exhibition was organized inside, mostly dedicated to gardening and the development of horticulture here from past to present. Of course, there are also small details about the royal dynasty. The king, crown princess, prince and their little princes.

The rhododendrons flowing like a colorful river were imoressive. These vibrant colors gliding along the stream bed offer a really magical view with different shades and various species. The atmosphere throughout the garden is also wonderful. There are mazes, walking paths and a special rose path. I also learned that Sweden has its own unique rose species.

The majestic pavilion, which is the former royal greenhouse, houses grapevines and wedding ceremonies are held here. There is also a kitchen garden that clearly provides fresh vegetables for the local restaurant. This place is a wonderful synthesis of the natural English park style and formal topiary garden art. There are also fountains. Especially that typical Scandinavian style fountain calmly trickling over a stone granite is unbelievably relaxing. You can also visit the store here where you can buy seedlings and flowers, as well as the gardener's lovely house.

All this peaceful atmosphere is accompanied by the view of the Öresund Strait separating Sweden and Denmark. So the opposite shore is Denmark. In fact directly acros lies the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art, which I visited last year.

An interesting detail, the cute lawn in front of the castle is actually a former royal football field. Of course, football is no longer played here. People have picnics and various events are held. An elegant cafe named Orangeriet also operates in the old greenhouse building. The stone sculptures around add a modern artistic touch to the area.

When you go down to the water's edge, you encounter a killer whale totem made by Haida native Jim Hart in the 1990s. Despite its eerie appearance, it is believed to protect Sofiero from evil and greet sailors. The upper part of the totem incorporates both a fin and a paddle form.This is definitely a fascinating spot.

Another point to visit in Helsingborg is the Dunkers Cultural Centre. Dunker one of the richest figures in the city, left his entire fortune to the city when he died childless. The city built the cultural centre, the theater and the stadium with these resources. Dunker had earned this wealth by owning one of the world's largest rubber factories, meaning from galoshes and rubber boots.

Designed by architect Kim Utzon, son of Jørn Utzon who designed the Sydney Opera House, this structure draws inspiration from the layout of medieval churches. The special skylights on the roof are designed to let in that soft, filtered northern light instead of direct sunlight.

One of the exhibitions in the centre is dedicated to the history of Helsingborg. This is one of the most intimate city museums I have ever seen. Because it tells not only major historical events, but also the lives of ordinary people, urban transportation and industry. For example, learning that the second car and the first electric vehicle in Sweden appeared in Helsingborg in 1893 was quite surprising for me.

Helsingborg is definitely a city worth exploring with its atmosphere, historical texture and comfortable pace. If you are around Copenhagen or Malmö, you can easily set aside time for this place.