Kärnan

About the museum

Kärnan is the only surviving part of the medieval castle in Helsingborg. As early as the late 12th century a round defensive tower stood on the site. The present tower was begun around 1310, when the Danish king Erik Menved was strengthening the realm, and it is estimated to have been finished around 1320. The name Kärnan was first used in 1749 by Carl von Linné (Carl Linnaeus).

After Skåne became Swedish in 1658, the castle's ramparts and bastions were demolished, and the tower was nearly blown up. Instead it was allowed to stand and was restored in 1893–1894. In May 1894 it opened to the public and quickly became one of the city's most visited destinations. Today the tower is a symbol of Helsingborg.

The tower displays exhibitions that depict everyday medieval life, the tower's strategic role and the building's history. On the fourth floor is the installation Kärnan – mellan himmel och helvete (Kärnan – between heaven and hell) about Danish medieval times. At the top, after 146 steps, there is a view over the city and the Öresund towards Denmark.

Highlights

• A medieval defensive tower from around 1320
• An exhibition on medieval everyday life and the tower's history
• The installation Kärnan – mellan himmel och helvete on the fourth floor
• A model of the tower built from about 40,000 LEGO bricks
• A view over Helsingborg and the Öresund after 146 steps

Permanent exhibitions

• Kärnan – mellan himmel och helvete – An installation on the fourth floor in three stories about Danish medieval times: a wretched 14th century, Queen Margaret and life at Helsingborg Castle, and heaven and hell.
• Utställning om tornet och medeltida vardagsliv – The floors tell of medieval food and everyday chores, the tower's strategic role and the building's history, including the renovation of 1893–1894.
• Kärnan byggd i LEGO – On the ground floor stands a 1.5-metre-high model of the tower made of about 40,000 LEGO bricks, built in 2022.

Founded

1894

Operated by

Helsingborgs stad, kulturförvaltningen (Helsingborgs museum)

Admission & discounts

Payment by card (except American Express and Diners Club) or Swish. Cash payment in SEK also works. Tickets can be bought online.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: not available
• Elevator: not available
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The tower is about 700 years old and is a protected monument, so it is not fully accessible. The route up runs through a stair tower with 146 steps.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Stroller-friendly: not available

Children and young people up to and including 18 have free admission. The game app Uppdrag Kärnan is aimed at children. The stairs make the tower unsuitable for prams.

Getting there & parking

Kärnan lies in Slottshagsparken above the Terrasstrapporna, which lead up from Stortorget in central Helsingborg, not far from the central station.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Entrance shop with souvenirs, books, jewellery, toys and board games related to the Middle Ages and Kärnan.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

The tower can be hired for events on application. Venue hire SEK 825 per hour and host SEK 650 per hour. The group activity Kampen om Kärnan (The Battle for Kärnan) is offered to companies and friends.

Plan your visit