Hovdala Castle, Hässleholm, Sweden

The oldest parts of Hovdala castle date from the 16th century, although it was first time mentioned already in the 12th century. There are so-called anchoring irons visible on the facade of one of the buildings are marked with the date 1511. Hovdala's gate tower, built in the early 1600's, served as a formidable entrance for the complex. This four-storey structure, with three-foot walls, withstood intensive fighting during Scania's turbulent periods. Hovdala Castle is today a popular visitor attraction and it is managed by the National Board of Antiques.

References:

Hässleholms Kommun

User Reviews

de Gourét Litchfield (2 years ago)
An historic building and area with a great many activities and some beautiful scenery in the area... not least the Tree House and sleeping pods up on a nearby ridge.

Sebastian Huynh (2 years ago)
Its a wonderful place to relax and take a walk.

Anna Cismasu (2 years ago)
We took a brief visit as it was raining lots that day. Nothing we could visit inside of you don't get to come in time for the guiding. Nice and I'm sure you get much to see on a sunny day. If you love Batman and Dracula you got to see the exhibition. Love the red building called Orangeriet where they brought exotic plants when the Ehrenborgs owned the castle.

Pälle Syrén Mandelkonvalj (2 years ago)
An out of the ordinary castle dating back to the 16th century. Complete with bullet holes from the many wars between Denmark and Sweden. The castle is frequently host to different events during the year, such as medieval festivals, bat excursions and historic lectures. Has a restaurant and a cafe.

Gregor Shapiro (2 years ago)
Wonderful setting, especially in nice weather. One of, if not the, best gift shops weight crafts I have ever been in. A fine restaurant and a nice café.

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Derbent is the southernmost city in Russia, occupying the narrow gateway between the Caspian Sea and the Caucasus Mountains connecting the Eurasian steppes to the north and the Iranian Plateau to the south. Derbent claims to be the oldest city in Russia with historical documentation dating to the 8th century BCE. Due to its strategic location, over the course of history, the city changed ownership many times, particularly among the Persian, Arab, Mongol, Timurid, Shirvan and Iranian kingdoms.

Derbent has archaeological structures over 5,000 years old. As a result of this geographic peculiarity, the city developed between two walls, stretching from the mountains to the sea. These fortifications were continuously employed for a millennium and a half, longer than any other extant fortress in the world.

A traditionally and historically Iranian city, the first intensive settlement in the Derbent area dates from the 8th century BC. The site was intermittently controlled by the Persian monarchs, starting from the 6th century BC. Until the 4th century AD, it was part of Caucasian Albania which was a satrap of the Achaemenid Persian Empire. In the 5th century Derbent functioned as a border fortress and the seat of Sassanid Persians. Because of its strategic position on the northern branch of the Silk Route, the fortress was contested by the Khazars in the course of the Khazar-Arab Wars. In 654, Derbent was captured by the Arabs.

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In 2003, UNESCO included the old part of Derbent with traditional buildings in the World Heritage List.

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