Karlskrona
Admiralty Church
The Admiralty Church was consecrated in 1685 as a provisional church for Karlskrona's new admiralty parish and was named Ulrica Pia after Karl XI's queen, Ulrica Eleonora. The church was originally intended to be replaced by a stone church, but it remained and is still referred to today as a "stone church built of wood." With its red wooden facades and the wooden figure Rosenbom outside the entrance, the church is one of Karlskrona's most beloved landmarks.
Karlskrona
Björkholmen
Björkholmen emerged in the 18th century as a residential area for Karlskrona's shipyard workers and sailors. Here, the first workers built their small wooden houses, and according to legend, much of the timber came from the navy's own stores. The narrow alleys and tightly built houses gave the area a lively and charming character that still makes Björkholmen one of Karlskrona's most beloved historic environments.
Karlskrona
Brändaholm
Brändaholm began to be developed in the 1920s when Karlskrona residents built small allotment cottages on the small islet near Dragsö. The red cottages with white trim were built close together, and the area soon developed into a beloved summer idyll. Even today, Brändaholm is one of Karlskrona's most well-known postcard motifs and a unique part of the city's archipelago environment.
Karlskrona
Fredrik Church
Fredrikskyrkan, also known as Fredrik's Church, was built in the 1720s based on drawings by Nicodemus Tessin the Younger and was inaugurated in 1744 in the middle of Stortorget in Karlskrona. The yellow baroque church was erected in honor of King Fredrik I and quickly became an obvious focal point in the city's new center. With its mighty dome and open square, the church is still one of Karlskrona's most prominent landmarks.
Karlskrona
The Glacier
Glassiären at Stortorget is a popular summer stop for both Karlskrona residents and visitors. Here, large ice creams are served with everything from classic to more unusual flavors, and the homemade waffles spread a lovely scent across the square as they are baked in the shop. For ice cream lovers, Glassiären has become an obvious visit in the heart of the city.
Karlskrona
Naval Museum
The Naval Museum on Stumholmen was inaugurated in 1997 and is Sweden's national museum for naval history. The museum's origins date back to 1752 when King Adolf Fredrik founded the Model Chamber in Karlskrona, where models of ships and constructions were used to develop new vessels. Today, the museum tells the story of Sweden's maritime heritage through several centuries of seafaring and defense history.
Karlskrona
M/S Axel
M/S Axel was built in 1934 at the Lödöse shipyard as a passenger steamship for traffic in the Karlskrona archipelago. The boat was named after the politician and local shipowner Axel Lindvall and has throughout the years been a well-known part of life around Nättraby and Karlskrona. After several reconstructions, M/S Axel still operates in the archipelago between Fisktorget and Nättraby, where she continues to carry on the city's long tradition of boat traffic and archipelago life.
Karlskrona
The Sloop and Pinnace Shed
The Sloop and Pinnace Shed was built in the 1780s to store the navy's smaller boats during the Swedish fleet's period of great expansion. The building is named after the sloops and pinnaces that were winter-stored here and used to transport crews, food, and materials between warships and shore. Even today, the mighty shed houses historical small boats and exhibitions about the fleet's ship boats throughout history.
Karlskrona
The Warm Bath House
The Warm Bathhouse was built between 1903–1904, based on drawings by the renowned bathhouse architect Wilhelm Klemming. With its Art Nouveau facade and meticulous details, the building is a clear example of the architecture of its time and is considered one of Sweden's oldest and best-preserved bathhouses.
Karlskrona
The Fisherwoman
The Fisherwoman at Fisktorget is one of Karlskrona's most beloved statues. It was created in 1982 by artist Erik Höglund and depicts the women who used to row in from the islands to sell fish to the townspeople. The statue commemorates a time when Fisktorget was a lively marketplace filled with boats, fish baskets, and bustling people. In our illustration, the Fisherwoman has also stepped down from her pedestal and come to life amidst Karlskrona's archipelago environment.
Karlskrona
Old Man Rosenbom
Old Man Rosenbom stands outside the Admiralty Church in Karlskrona and is one of the city's most beloved symbols. The poor wooden figure was erected in the 18th century to collect money for needy sailors and their families. Through Selma Lagerlöf's story about Nils Holgersson, Rosenbom became known throughout Sweden, and even today, visitors tip their hats to put a coin in the collection box.
Karlskrona
Kerstin Svensson
Artist Kerstin Svensson from Karlskrona became known for her handmade gnomes with big noses, bushy beards, and playful expressions. What started as small figures in her home in Blekinge gradually grew into an appreciated craft that found its way into homes far beyond Sweden. With her imagination and eye for detail, she created her own gnome world, which has made her a beloved figure in Swedish handicrafts.
Karlskrona
King Charles XI
King Charles XI founded Karlskrona in 1680 when the city was designated the main base for the Swedish navy. Its location on the Baltic Sea was considered strategically important, and a naval shipyard, fortifications, and new city districts were soon built there. With this decision, Charles XI laid the foundation for the city that is still characterized by its maritime history today.
Karlskrona
Mi Ridell
Actress and dancer Mi Ridell has her roots in Karlskrona and has appeared in film, television, and theatre over the years. With her energy and stage presence, she has become a well-known name in Swedish entertainment. She has also worked as a lecturer and inspirer, focusing on communication and body language.
Karlskrona
Oliver Ekman-Larsson
Hockey player Oliver Ekman-Larsson, originally from Karlskrona, has been one of Sweden's top defensemen for many years. After growing up in Blekinge, his career took him to the NHL and to play for the Swedish national team, where he has won several international medals. When he also lifted the Stanley Cup, he wrote himself into hockey history as yet another successful Swedish champion on the world's biggest hockey stage.
Karlskrona
Pillemausare
"Pillemausare" is a classic expression from Karlskrona and was used to refer to shipyard workers at the naval base. The word could be said with both pride and a twinkle in the eye, and sometimes referred to someone who took their work a little too easy or tried to look busy without working particularly hard. The expression still lives on as part of genuine Björkholm dialect and Karlskrona's strong shipyard culture.
Karlskrona
Tim Liljegren
Rally driver Tim Liljegren from Karlskrona has made a name for himself through his high-speed driving and strong social media presence. Through videos from competitions, cars, and life behind the scenes, he has built up a large following, especially on TikTok. The combination of rally interest, humor, and personality has made him a well-known name among motorsport enthusiasts across Sweden.
Karlskrona
Man craving fish
Karlskrona