Day 125 19th June 2017
“Lund is one of Sweden’s oldest cities and was founded by the Danish King Sweyn Forkbeard around the year 990. Here you can and a blend of old and new, tradition and innovation. Lund is a city of contrasts where the old city centre, which dates back about a thousand years, thrives alongside modern buildings. It is said that you can spend your whole life here without seeing all the quiet little corners, all the beautiful buildings and details. Lund is a city in which the university has an enormous presence, a true student city. Of a municipal population of around 110,000 no fewer than 40,000 are students, and it shows. The university was founded in 1666 and is one of the foremost seats of learning and scientific research centres in Scandinavia.” ( Skane Tourist brochure)
We left our barking little friend on a couple of occasions to take a bus into Lund-what a nice city-old buildings beautiful cathedral-and friendly folks.On our first we went to the Tourist Information Office to get the scoop on self guided walking tours and how to find the Food Hall.We did find it, paid a dollar for a toilet and then had lunch at one of the restaurants there.It was called the Meat d’Plat and was run by three young blokes who were passionate about what they were trying to do.They had only two things on the menu but the people eating there encouraged us to stay as it was so good.It turned out to be good advice as we chomped into our pork neck whilst having a conversation with a local who had just been “liberated” from a corporate job he had ended up hating.Lovely man who had taken up the sax and had a house in Porto Portugal.
Day 129 23 June 2017
We went to Lund again to visit the Skissernas museum which we have blogged about separately and then again the day before our family for whom we were house sitting were due to arrive home.This time we went to the University library opened in 1666 at the same time as the university. Whilst being an imposing brick building on the outside it had a range comfortable nooks and crannies inside, ideal for the budding academic.Also of note was the huge Lund 1 Runestone just inside the door in the entrance hall see Lund1Runestone .
We then retraced our steps to the restaurant were we had previously had lunch and although we missed out on the “special of the day” our young waiter prepared a luncheon platter that was superb.It had terrines, chicken liver mousse, steak tartare, hare pate served with baguettes and olive oil finished with pine shoots.All of these dishes although traditional had their own twist they also cook to what is best available from their local suppliers and all supplies are sourced within a 100kms of Lund.
Later in the afternoon we went to Lund’s number one attraction-the cathedral.The cathedral started in 1083 and consecrated in i 1145 is large but elegant inside with sweeping columns and is representative of Sweden itself being tastefully understated.It is a Lutheran cathedral and the seat of the Bishop of Lund. Apart from its size and its two 55 metre towers it has two unusual attractions ,an astronomical clock dating from 1425 and a large crypt with parts remaining from 1123.A summary of Lund Cathedral
In summary we found Lund to be a delightful combination of architectures, modern art and good eating.
