A major seaport and a famous industrial center, this place has been one of the biggest defensive spots of Sweden. The city was founded in the 11th century and until the 16th century it was used as a military base. The coat of arms of the city depicts three hearts, which symbolize courage and heroism of the local people.
Halmstad is situated on the bank of the Nissan River. These scenic spots and rich historical heritage have long become the major attraction for visitors from European countries. Nowadays this city is widely known to tourists from different parts of the world. You can get acquainted with the history of the city if you make an excursion to the main museum located in the heart of Halmstad. More than two dozen rooms of the museum are devoted to collections of furniture, glassware, tapestries, archeological and historical artifacts. The biggest part of the museum features works of art created by local painters and sculptors.
One of the remarkable historical objects located in Snorstorp. This is an amazing beautiful church built in the 19th century. The Basilica was named after St. Olaf. This is a magnificent architectural ensemble decorated with tall steeples and large stained glass windows. The ship named Najaden is the permanent symbol of the city. Nowadays the board of the ship stores the exhibition of Maritime Museum. The ship was built in the 17th century and all best sailors were prepared on its board. The museum's exhibits provide information about the sea battles, history of shipbuilding and demonstrate interesting collections of maps and documents.
The starting point of the most of sightseeing tours is the Market Square located in the center of the city. The main value of the square is the original fountain called “Europa & the Bull” that was built in 1926. Near the square, you can see interesting historical constructions of different periods, among which the Three Hearts House is the most interesting one. The exact date of its construction, as well as its architect, is unknown. The first written references to it date back to the 15th century. Today, this beautiful old house is the oldest of the preserved buildings in the city.
Another interesting historical site is the city administration building. It is an ancient castle built in the 17th century. Over the years, it has lost its paramount strategic significance. The building has managed to survive, so it was decided to use it for the city administration’s needs. There is a beautiful sailboat right in front of the building. On particular days, you can have excursions around the old castle.
The most beautiful historical street in the city is Storgatan. The walks along it will turn into an incredibly exciting tour. Here, you can see buildings, the age of which is several hundred years. In the historical street, the old wall fragment has been preserved. Today, on the ground floors of old buildings, there are popular stores, cafes and restaurants.
The Norre Katts Park is very popular with nature admirers. It will be interesting to visit it at any time of the year. In summer, the park is literally drowned in branched trees, under which you can relax in the heat with pleasure. In the park, there is the interesting Lansmuseet Halmstad Museum that houses the versatile collection of exhibits. The museum contains the hall with unique archeological artifacts and halls with masterpieces of different epochs. One of the most interesting exhibits is devoted to the history of sea craft.
In the surroundings of the city, there is the famous park of miniatures called Miniland. It presents small copies of the most famous Swedish attractions. In total, there are almost 80 tiny copies in the park. There are also breathtaking amusement rides and well-equipped resort areas for visitors.