The Heart of Österlen

City

About

The Heart of Österlen

Welcome to a charming small town in the heart of Österlen. Here you can wander around the cobbled streets lined by their characteristic pastel-colored houses. Eat something good at any of the fine outside dining establishments, which give the city a Southerly impression or take a dip in the sea. From Sweden's largest fruit district, a warm welcome awaits you!

City

Welcome to Simrishamn

Simrishamn which is actually quite a large municipality by Scanian standards, is in the heart of Österlen. The square is the city center, with the Town Hall and City Hall built in Romanesque style in 1993. Behind the Town Hall is the city's oldest building, the St Nicolai church which is from the Middle Ages.

The low houses are lined along the cobbled streets. They are pastel colored with beautifully carved doors, the so-called Simrishamn doors. Behind high wooden fences are dazzling gardens and small oasis. Simrishamn has many terraces. Together with the old houses and cobblestone streets, gives the city a southern character.

The municipality has small and medium-sized towns. There are plenty of holiday homes and during the summer the population increases substantially. You will find wide sandy beaches, rocks and small genuine fishing villages.

During the spring, a half million fruit trees bloom and in the autumn it is time to reap the rewards. Here is one third of all Swedish fruit production, which makes the Kivik District the country's largest fruit-growing district and it leaves its mark on the landscape. Apple exhibitions are organized annually, and the market with the famous apple blackboard with motifs made of about 35,000 apples.

Simrishamn retains the character of small town and there are no traffic lights, parking meters or meter maids.

History

Simrishamn's History

There have been dwellings from the late Stone Age on the very same spot as Simrishamn. Fishing became large in Simrishamn and it is believed it became a city sometime during the 1200s. Simrishamn was mentioned the first time in 1123 when the Norwegian King Sigurd Jorsalafarare, had his boat moored in the harbor. Simrishamn was known as "Svimraros," which means "mouth of the river (Tommarpsån) that flooded over." The fishing industry grew, largely thanks to the herring, which became very important for the city's economy and history. Therefore, there is a fish depicted on the city's coat of arms.

During peace time, merchant houses were built up in the area. One merchant, Garvare Ehrnberg, helped to lay the ground and built up the city's leather industry. As the trade developed, so did the shipping industry and by the late 1800s, Österlen had Sweden's largest fleet of sailing ships.

When you are in Simrishamn, visit the St. Nicolai Church from the 1100s which is built of grey hall stone. In the beginning it was made with grey cement, but during a visit by the artist Carl Milles, he promised to donate a statue if the cement was knocked away. Now, you can enjoy seeing the glittering hall stone and the Mille sculptures on the lawn. Inside there is the famous pulpit with Christian IV's name cipher, a medieval crucifix, a splendid designed baptismal font and Österlen oldest "votivskepp" (church ship) from 1776.

See and Do

Swimming

Lake Gyllebosjön

Swimming area and sandy beach with dock, beach, diving tower, sauna and boat rental. There are beautiful walking trails around the lake and through the beech tree forest.
Östra Vemmerlöv, Gärsnäs

Sea Bathing

In Simrishamn, there is a mile long fine sandy beach which is similar to those of the Mediterranean. The white sand is so fine that it spreads softly under your feet. There are also rock beaches for those who prefer.

Family Activities

Football Golf at Stockeboda Gård

Located in the scenic surroundings around Stock Boda Gård is this varied 18-hole course that goes over the rolling Österlen hills.
Vägen Rörum - Ö Vemmerlöv 272 97 Gärsnäs
+46 414-241 02
info@stockeboda.se
www.stockeboda.se

Frisbee Golf at Stockeboda Gård

Over meadows, through the lush beech forest and a beautiful ravin runs a 9-hole frisbee golf course.
Vägen Rörum - Ö Vemmerlöv 272 97 Gärsnäs
+46 414-241 02
info@stockeboda.se
www.stockeboda.se

Kiviks Apple Juice Factory and Apple House

You can taste and buy Kiviks products in the shop. There is a restaurant, a cider cellar, display gardens, orchards, garden shop and various activities. The Apple House is an educational center specifically for apples.
+46 414-719 35
info@kiviksmusteri.se
www.kiviksmusteri.se

Maja & Pågen

Starting at the large square is a guided tour by horse and wagon through Simrishamn.
+46 414-41 13 87

The Speed Museum, Ravlunda Distillery

The museum is structured as a small city and full of toy and bike shops. The shop windows are full of shiny small cars, fun bike accessories from the bicycles' greatness and gas stations in miniature form.
Historical motor and pedal bicycles, models and toy cars from the past. Here you can really experience nostalgia!
Open during the summer and by appointment. There is a cafe and restaurant.
Vitabyvägen, Ravlunda 277 37 Kivik
+46 414-740 00
info@ravlundabranneri.se
www.ravlundabranneri.se

Fishing

Fishing at Tjörnedaladammarna (ponds)

At the Tjörnedala ponds, which is about 5 km North of Simrishamn, you can fish for rainbow trout and fishing methods used are fly-and spin. Fishing licenses are sold at the fishing site and Simrishamns Tourist Office.
Tjörnadala 272 94 Simrishamn
+46 414-166 17, +46 414-125 95
www.osterlen.com/sportfiske

Fishing on Lake Gyllebosjön, Gärsnäs

Here the perch, bream, pike, zander, carp, roach, tench and eel bite. Recreational fishing and angling are allowed but you may not have your own boat in the lake. Ice fishing with jig during the winter.
Fishing licenses can be purchased at the Tourist Office in Simrishamn.

Museum

Sjöfartsmuseet Hoppet (Maritime Museum)

Most of the collection consists of paintings and models of ships. There are also navigation instruments, life saving equipment such as a rocket apparatus, hand tools, transport wagon and numerous photographs. A shop with postcards, hand bags, literature, and more. Open during the summer.
Pantaregatan 20, Brantevik
www.branteviksmuseum.com

Österlens Museum

Here is a Linnaeus Exhibition, peasant culture, special textiles, painted furniture and a newly built garden. Open all year round.
Storgatan 24, Simrishamn
+46 414-81 96 70, +46 414-81 96 72
www.simrishamn.se/museum

Nature

Haväng, Kivik

At Havängs large moorland, you walk among grazing horses and herds of sheep. On the hill, along the beach rises "Havängsdösen;" a 4,500 year old stone coffin. There is also "Lindgrens Länga", a museum for the area's cultural history.

Sträntemölla Nature Reserve, Forsemölla

The nature reserve is named after the old water mill called "Stränte" in Sträntemölla, which is one of Sweden's oldest water mills. The mill is built in a well preserved half-timbered long house. Further up the valley is is another mill called Forsemölla. The water flows along the almost vertical mountainside.
The nature reserve is located between Rörum - Ö Vemmerlöv.

Strövområdet Tjörnedala (Country Walks)

Tjörnedala country walks in Baskemölla is a cultural experience with apple orchards and pastures. The orchids grow along the lime-rich slopes down to the sea. Here is a sandy beach that invites you to bathe in the summer. Walking and fishing throughout the year.

Worth Seeing

Glimmingehus (Medieval Castle)

The foundation for the castle was ready May 2, 1499 by Danish nobleman Jens Holgersen Ulfstand. The castle was built as a fortresses and houses many different defense devices. Glimmingehus which is the best preserved medieval castle is now an important link back to Skåne and the Nordics medieval history. There is a Castle Museum, a medieval kitchen and a museum shop.

Daily tours of the castle during the summer. Markets and other arrangements including; games, historical crafts, story-telling evenings and archery evenings.
Hammenhög
+46 414-186 20
glimmingehus@raa.se
www.raa.se/glimmingehus