Trelleborg is the southernmost town in Sweden, with a population of around 30,000. The origins of the town date back to a Viking Era ring castle from the late 900s, making Trelleborg one of the oldest towns in Skåne. The ring fort built using “treller” – skewed cloven logs that support the structure, which became Trelleborg’s namesake. A replica of the fort was built on the original site in 1995. During the Middle Ages herring fishing was the towns most important industry. Around the turn of the century Trelleborg became an important industrial town and the port developed into the second largest seaport in the country. The first public ferry, to Sassnitz in Germany, began operating in 1897. Trelleborg is a major gateway to Sweden today with ferries coming from Germany, Lithuania and Poland.
In 1917, just months before the October Revolution, Vladimir Lenin, who had been residing in Switzerland, decided to return to Russia to personally take charge of the Bolsheviks. He negotiated a passage through Germany, with whom Russia was then at war, travelling by train from Zürich to Sassnitz, by ferry to Trelleborg, continuing by train to Stockholm, the Haparanda–Tornio border into Finland, Helsinki, and then to Petrograd.
WHAT TO SEE AND DO IN TRELLEBORG
TRELLEBORGEN
In 1988 archaeologists made the astounding discovery of the remains of a Viking Era ring fort. The fort was approximately 140 meters in diameter. A distinctive feature of the fort was its use of “trelle” – skewed cloven logs that supported the palisades. In Denmark ring forts using trelle were known as ’trelleborgar’ and dated back to the 10th century. A dendrochronological analysis of wood samples from the trelle dated the fort to around 980AD, during the reign of Harald Bluetooth. The name of the town Trelleborg had been a mystery for many years, now the mystery had finally been solved.
In 1995 a reconstruction of the original fortress was built on the site. The reconstruction uses wooden palisades, trelles, crenellations, and includes a gateway. It’s based on the original archaeological find and incorporates the traditional techniques used. A quarter of the fort was reconstructed and is now an outdoor museum. The site contains a longhouse, pit houses, a garden, Viking exhibition, café and shop.
TRELLEBORGEN
Hours: 24/7
Entrance: FREE
VIKING MUSEUM ENTRANCE
Adult: 40SEK
Adult (Summer): 60SEK
Youth: FREE
VIKING MUSEUM HOURS
Spring: 12PM – 4PM
Summer: 10AM – 5PM
Autumn: 12PM – 4PM
Winter: Closed
Trelleborgs museum
Trelleborgs Museum is a cultural history museum where you can learn about the ancient and more recent history of Trelleborg. Exhibitions include art, photography, ceramics and textiles.
MUSEUM Entrance & Hours
Adults: 40 SEK
Youth: FREE
Hours: Tue to Sun 12PM – 4PM
SANKT NICOLAI KYRKA
There has been a church on the location of Sankt Nicolai Kyrka (St Nicholas Church) since Medieval times. It’s not known exactly how old the church is, but the oldest parts are estimated to be from the 1200s. The church was dedicated to Saint Nicholas, the saint of seafarers. In 1883 the church was renovated into its current neo-Gothic Romanesque style. The only remaining part of the old church is the tower, built in 1617.
VATTENTORNET
At the turn of the 20th century, Trelleborg was fast becoming an important port and industrial hub in Sweden. The town was nearing 10,000 inhabitants and the demand for new infrastructure grew. Construction of the Vattentornet (Water Tower) began in 1911. When completed the water tower stood 58 metres tall and became Trelleborg’s tallest building. The water cistern held 300 cubic meters of water. During the Second World War the water tower was used as a lookout to detect enemy ships and aircraft. The water tower was taken out of service in 1971 when the new water tower was commissioned.
Today the water tower houses the Vattentornet Cafe & Bistro.
WHERE TO EAT
Franckes Bageri
Vattentornet Café & Bistro
WHERE TO SLEEP
Clarion Hotel Magasinet
Hamngatan 9
Systrar & Bönor B&B
Algatan 28
How to get to Trelleborg
Malmö to Trelleborg by Train
- Frequency: Every 30m
- Duration: 32m
- Price: 50 SEK
Trelleborg is connected to the surrounding villages and countryside by bus. Buses and trains are operated by Skånetrafiken.
Trelleborg by Ferry
- Klaipeda, Lithuania
- Rostock, Germany
- Saßnitz, Germany
- Swinoujscie, Poland
- Travemünde, Germany
Palmtåget
Palmtåget (Palm Train) is a free hop-on hop-off tourist train that connects Stortorget, Saint Nicolai Church, and Trelleborgen. The train only operates during the summer.
Palm Bus
The red double decker Palm Bus is a free hop-on hop-off bus that connects Trelleborg to Smygehuk, with stops at Dalabadet and Gislöv. The bus only operates during the summer.