December 22, 2013
By bus to Falsterbo. Get off at Norra Vånggatan. Goes to the ruin of
Falsterbohus. A narrow road, there is no direct parking, a boom is blocking
the entrance to the ruins. As so many other Scanian medieval castles is not
much left. It was built probably in the 1200s. It was first mentioned in 1311
when it was destroyed by hanseaterna. Rebuilt, and destroyed again. This time
the Swedish forces. The fort was rebuilt again. Increased in importance when
the fish market shifted from Skanör to Falsterbo and the sheriff at Skanörs
castle moved to the better consolidated Falsterbohus. Queen Margaret had the
reception of foreign ambassadors. Her son Olof died here in 1387 17 years
old. The market declined in importance, the sheriff moved to Malmö. In the end
it was not needed anymore and was demolished 1596. Stones used to Västra
Ingelheim church. This can be read on the data plate.
The castle was surrounded by an outer and an inner moat. Traces remain of
both, a wooden bridge goes over the inner. The outer is only visible at the
south and east. A wall is enveloping the core and a building. The wall is now
som decimeter high, on top is growing soft moss. I peer down into the tower
over the meter high foundation remaining. A wooden staircase leads over the
wall. It is slippery, I fall nearly down in the tower. Not so much, but
still. I study the stone walls a little closer. The top surface is protected
by a layer of concrete. In a corner on the outside is a memorial sign over
Margaret's son Olaf. A row of stones shows where the house stood, it may be
the origin stones?
I walk around the ruins outside the wall, then goes around the inner and outer
moat. In the south is a bulge, on the other side of the moat lies stones. In
the moat is growing reed, the exterior also has some water in it. To the east
of the ruin is Falsterbohus of younger date, built in the early 1900s as the
casino and beach hotels. Now luxury condominiums. Beatles Paul and George
stayed for one night in October 1967 to meditate with the Maharishi Mahesh. It
was chaos with the press and fans.
Leaving the ruins and go to the sea. Cabanas are on the line, locked and
deserted this time of year. The wind whistling over the beach. Far away
strolling some people. The toilets are locked. The sun begins to show itself
above sea level, it is going down. Goes to the Café Kust on Main Street for
a coffee before the bus comes. It is crowded and full of people. Is a vacant
seat at a table. Cappuccino and a brownie, good but expensive. 48 SEK for
the brownie. Winter darkness arrive and I take the bus home.
Map