Helsingborg - Kernel Stortorget Kärnan

Visitors arriving in Helsingborg by sea cannot fail to see the town's emblem and landmark, Kärnan (the "Kernel"), a conspicuous brick tower 35m/115ft high which stands at the upper end of the long market square (Stortorget). From the end of the square a broad flight of steps flanked by two towers (elevator in left-hand tower) leads up to Konung Oscar II's Terrass, at the far corner of which stands the old defensive tower, with foundations up to 4.5m/15ft deep and a circumference of 60m/200ft.

In 1400 it was the central feature of a stronghold built by Valdemar Atterdag on the site of an earlier timber fortress probably dating from the 10th century. Valdemar's castle was destroyed in 1680, leaving only the tower standing. From the top of the tower (190 steps) there are superb views of the town and over the Öresund to Denmark. Beyond Kärnan is Slottshagen, a beautiful park, with a piece of sculpture by Christian Eriksson, "The Hunt", and remains of the old fortress.