Kristianstad

2025-09-21T13:40:32Z

62.167.97.70: /* Notable natives */

{{short description|City in Scania, Sweden}}
{{more citations needed|date=September 2013}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name = Kristianstad
| native_name =
| official_name = 
| image_skyline = Kristianstad 070628-1.JPG
| image_caption = Kristianstad
| image_shield = Kristianstad vapen.svg
| pushpin_map = Sweden Scania#Sweden#European Union
| pushpin_label_position =
| subdivision_type = [[Country]]
| subdivision_name = {{flag|Sweden}}
| subdivision_type3 = [[Municipalities of Sweden|Municipality]]
| subdivision_name3 = [[Kristianstad Municipality|Kristianstad]]
| subdivision_type2 = [[Counties of Sweden|County]]
| subdivision_name2 = [[Skåne County|Skåne]]
| subdivision_type1 = [[Provinces of Sweden|Province]]
| subdivision_name1 = [[Scania]]
| area_footnotes = <ref name=scb>{{cite web |url=https://www.scb.se/MI0810 |title=Folkmängd och landareal i tätorter, per tätort. Vart femte år 1960 - 2023 |date=28 November 2024 |publisher=[[Statistics Sweden]] |language=sv |access-date=28 March 2025}}</ref>
| area_total_km2 = 22.44
| population_as_of = 2023
| population_footnotes = <ref name=scb />
| population_total = 41,198 
| population_density_km2 = 1836
| timezone = [[Central European Time|CET]]
| utc_offset = +1
| timezone_DST = [[Central European Summer Time|CEST]]
| utc_offset_DST = +2
| coordinates = {{coord|56|01|46|N|14|09|24|E|region:SE|display=inline,title}}
| website = {{URL|https://www.kristianstad.se/}} {{in lang|sv}}
}}

'''Kristianstad''' ({{IPAc-en|UK|ˈ|k|r|ɪ|s|tʃ|ən|s|t|ɑː|d}} {{respell|KRIS|chən|stahd}},<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.collinsdictionary.com/amp/english/kristianstad|title=Kristianstad|work=[[Collins English Dictionary]]|publisher=[[HarperCollins]]|access-date=24 April 2019}}</ref> {{IPA|sv|krɪˈɧǎnːsta|lang|LL-Q9027 (swe)-Moonhouse-Kristianstad.wav}} {{IPA|sv|-stɑːd|label=or}}<ref name="Bergman">{{cite book|url=https://runeberg.org/ortnamn/0018.html|author1=Jöran Sahlgren|author2=Gösta Bergman|title=Svenska ortnamn med uttalsuppgifter|language=sv|year=1979|page=14}}</ref>) is a [[Urban areas in Sweden|city]] and the seat of [[Kristianstad Municipality]], [[Scania County]], [[Sweden]] with 41,198 inhabitants in 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-02-21 |title=Befolkning |url=https://www.kristianstad.se/kommunochpolitik/kommunfakta/befolkning.3112.html |access-date=2025-03-28 |website=www.kristianstad.se |language=sv}}</ref> Since the 1990s, the city has gone from being a garrison town to a developed commercial city, focusing on nature preservation and a food profile.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-11-02 |title=Staden under 1900-talet |url=https://www.kristianstad.se/upplevaochgora/arkivochslaktforskning/lokalhistoria/stadenunder1900talet.5364.html |access-date=2025-03-28 |website=www.kristianstad.se |language=sv}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-11-02 |title=Staden under 2000-talet |url=https://www.kristianstad.se/upplevaochgora/arkivochslaktforskning/lokalhistoria/stadenunder2000talet.5365.html |access-date=2025-03-28 |website=www.kristianstad.se |language=sv}}</ref>

==History==
[[File:Heliga Trefaldighetskyrkan exteriör cropped.jpg|left|thumb|[[Trinity Church, Kristianstad|Trinity Church]] (''Heliga Trefaldighetskyrkan'')]]

The city was founded in 1614 by King [[Christian IV of Denmark]] (the city's name literally means 'Town of Christian' or "Christian's town") as a [[planned city]] after the burning of the nearby town of [[Vä]] and moving the [[city rights]] of the neighbouring town of Vå and Åhus to the new town. The purpose of the town was to safeguard the eastern half of the Danish province of Scania against any future raids from Sweden in the north, but also as a symbol of the power of Christian himself. One of these raids had sacked the nearby town of Vä in 1612. Vä then lost its charter and the people were relocated to the new, better fortified city. The king also founded the town of [[Kristianopel]] in eastern [[Blekinge County|Blekinge]] to serve a similar purpose.

Construction of the towns was a great prestige project for the king, and [[Trinity Church, Kristianstad|Kristianstad's church]] is considered by many to be one of the most beautiful buildings constructed by King Christian IV, or even northern Europe's most beautiful [[Renaissance]] church. This meant that the church was built considerably larger than there was initially use for. The king also wanted a castle or fortress constructed inside the town but shortage of funds made this impossible, of the intended castle only an arsenal was constructed which today serves as the main building of the local museum. Also in Christianstad the town planning of the Renaissance could be laid down for the first time at the foundation of the town. This makes the Kristianstad town centre of today exceptionally well-kept and easy to get around in.

In 1658 Scania, Kristianstad and the eastern third of Denmark was ceded to Sweden following the [[Treaty of Roskilde]].

[[Pylyp Orlyk]] was after 1709 chosen as a [[Hetman]] in exile by the [[cossack]]s and the Swedish king [[Charles XII of Sweden|Charles XII]]. While in [[Tighina|Bender]] Orlyk wrote one of the first state [[constitutions]] in Europe. This [[Constitution of Pylyp Orlyk]] was confirmed by [[Charles XII of Sweden|Charles XII]] and it also names him as ''the protector of Ukraine''. After 1714 Orlyk now together with several other cossacks followed the Swedish king [[Charles XII of Sweden|Charles XII]] to [[Sweden]]. Orlyk with his family and about 40 other Cossacks arrived in [[Ystad]], [[Sweden]] in late November 1715. After some months in Ystad they lived in the city of Kristianstad for some years.<ref>'''Alfred Jensen''': ''Mazepa'', p.174–194. Lund 1909.</ref> Orlyk wrote numerous proclamations and essays about [[Ukraine]] including the 1710 [[Constitution of Pylyp Orlyk]].<ref>[http://www.kyivpost.com/news/nation/detail/63202/ 300th anniversary of first Ukrainian constitution written by Pylyp Orlyk being celebrated], [[Kyiv Post]] (April 5, 2010)</ref>

Kristianstad served as capital of [[Kristianstad County]] between 1719 and 1997. It now houses the administration and the regional parliament of the [[Skåne Regional Council]]. For a long time Kristianstad also was a very important garrison town, the [[Wendes Artillery Regiment]] (A 3) and the [[North Scanian Regiment]] (P 6) being the town's most prominent military units. Also the town housed for many years the so-called Scanian Fortification Brigade. The Wendes Artillery Regiment served with distinction in the Napoleonic Wars. One of Sweden's higher courts of appeal was located in Kristianstad before being moved to [[Malmö]] in 1917.

Until 1996, Kristianstad was a city of residence in [[Kristianstad County]], but in 1997 merged with [[Skåne County]]. Since the county councils were also merged into [[Region Skåne]], the city became the seat of its regional council from 1999. The County Administrative Court in Skåne County was also located in Kristianstad until 2008.

In Kristianstad, seven countries have maintained honorary [[consulate]]s during different periods. A Royal [[Denmark|Danish]] Vice Consulate was established in 1855 and elevated to a consulate in 2002, but was withdrawn in 2012. A [[North America]]n consular agency existed 1873 — 1887 (the same man was the Danish deputy consul and North American consular agent). The independent [[Kingdom of Norway]] established a deputy consulate in 1907, which was, however, withdrawn in 1937, to be re-established in 1946 and elevated to a consulate in 1988, but it is now revoked. [[Argentina]] had a vice consulate 1911 — 1935. [[Finland]] also had a vice consulate in Kristianstad 1923 — 1925 and 1931 — 1967. [[Lithuania]] established a consulate in 1995 and it is the only consulate left in Kristianstad today. [[Germany]] established a consulate in 1996, but it is now withdrawn.

[[File:Capture of christianstad-claus moinichen 1686.jpg|thumb|250px|left|Short-lived Danish capture of Kristianstad during the [[Scanian War]] (1676), painting by [[Claus Møinichen]].]]

==Geography==
Sweden's lowest point, at 2.41 meters below [[mean sea level]], is located in Kristianstad. Because of this, parts of the city have to be protected from flooding by a system of [[levees]] and water pumps. To expand the city, large areas of low-lying wetlands have had to be walled in, especially to the east. To prevent future flooding of the city center, the existing levees are in the process of being reinforced and new levees against both [[Helge å]] and [[Hammarsjön]] are under construction. An extensive system of ponds and dams is also under construction. The threat of flooding became substantial during late winter 2002, when the greater part of the public park [[Tivoliparken]] was under water.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.kristianstad.se/oversvamningsskydd|title=Skydd mot översvämningar (Protection from flooding)|access-date=2016-08-16}}</ref> However, the wetlands around the city are starting to be regarded more as an asset, not least thanks to the creation of [[Kristianstads Vattenrike Biosphere Reserve]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.vattenriket.kristianstad.se/eng/|title=Summary|website=www.vattenriket.kristianstad.se|access-date=2016-08-15}}</ref> Today the Vattenriket is a Unesco biosphere reserve.

==Climate==
Kristianstad has a [[humid continental climate]].
Summers are warm and comparatively long by Swedish standards.

{{Weather box
|location = Kristianstad, 2002–2020; extremes since 1901, precipitation 1961–1990
|metric first = Yes
|single line = Yes
|Jan record high C = 11.6
|Feb record high C = 15.3
|Mar record high C = 20.4
|Apr record high C = 25.6
|May record high C = 29.5
|Jun record high C = 32.9
|Jul record high C = 32.9
|Aug record high C = 33.6
|Sep record high C = 27.5
|Oct record high C = 23.5
|Nov record high C = 17.7
|Dec record high C = 13.0
|year record high C = 33.6
|Jan high C = 2.7
|Feb high C = 3.4
|Mar high C = 7.3
|Apr high C = 12.5
|May high C = 17.6
|Jun high C = 21.0
|Jul high C = 23.1
|Aug high C = 22.2
|Sep high C = 18.4
|Oct high C = 12.3
|Nov high C = 7.6
|Dec high C = 4.4
|year high C = 12.7
|Jan mean C = 0.3
|Feb mean C = 0.8
|Mar mean C = 3.2
|Apr mean C = 7.1
|May mean C = 12.0
|Jun mean C = 15.5
|Jul mean C = 17.8
|Aug mean C = 17.3
|Sep mean C = 13.6
|Oct mean C = 8.8
|Nov mean C = 5.0
|Dec mean C = 2.0
|year mean C = 8.7
|Jan low C = -2.2
|Feb low C = -2.0
|Mar low C = -0.9
|Apr low C = 1.7
|May low C = 6.4
|Jun low C = 10.0
|Jul low C = 12.6
|Aug low C = 12.5
|Sep low C = 9.0
|Oct low C = 5.2
|Nov low C = 2.6
|Dec low C = 0.0
|year low C = 4.7
|Jan record low C = -27.8
|Feb record low C = -23.4
|Mar record low C = -22.8
|Apr record low C = -8.5
|May record low C = -3.8
|Jun record low C = 0.2
|Jul record low C = 4.5
|Aug record low C = 2.2
|Sep record low C = -2.0
|Oct record low C = -9.9
|Nov record low C = -15.0
|Dec record low C = -24.6
|year record low C = -27.8
|Jan precipitation mm = 47.7
|Feb precipitation mm = 33.0
|Mar precipitation mm = 36.2
|Apr precipitation mm = 36.1
|May precipitation mm = 42.4
|Jun precipitation mm = 47.4
|Jul precipitation mm = 64.0
|Aug precipitation mm = 50.1
|Sep precipitation mm = 54.8
|Oct precipitation mm = 50.6
|Nov precipitation mm = 53.7
|Dec precipitation mm = 50.7
|year precipitation mm = 561.8
|source 1 = SMHI Average Precipitation 1961-1990<ref name=eather1>{{cite web| url=http://data.smhi.se/met/climate/time_series/month_year/normal_1961_1990/SMHI_month_year_normal_61_90_precipitation_mm.txt| title=Precipitation Averages 1961-90 (Kristianstad code 6403)| access-date=7 March 2016| publisher=SMHI| date=March 2016| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180928213811/http://data.smhi.se/met/climate/time_series/month_year/normal_1961_1990/SMHI_month_year_normal_61_90_precipitation_mm.txt| archive-date=28 September 2018| url-status=dead}}</ref>
|date=April 2015
|source 2 = SMHI Average Data 2002-2016<ref name=eather2>{{cite web| url=http://www.smhi.se/klimatdata/meteorologi/temperatur/2.1240| title=Statistics from Weather Stations| language=sv| access-date=13 June 2017| publisher=SMHI| date=June 2017| archive-date=25 December 2018| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181225065632/http://www.smhi.se/klimatdata/meteorologi/temperatur/2.1240%20| url-status=dead}}</ref>
}}

==Environmental==
Kristianstad has by now crossed a vital threshold, as the city and adjacent municipality, with a population of 80,000, in essence use no oil, natural gas or coal to warm homes and businesses, even throughout the extensive chilly winters. It is an absolute turnaround from 20 years ago, when all of its heating came from [[fossil fuels]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/11/science/earth/11fossil.html?ref=sweden |title=Using Waste, Swedish City Cuts Its Fossil Fuel Use |date=December 10, 2010 |newspaper=[[New York Times]]}}</ref>

==Industry==
[[Absolut Vodka]], owned by [[Pernod Ricard]], is produced in the town of [[Åhus]] located within the municipality. Kristianstad was the main military seat in [[Scania]] for a long time, boosting military camps and trainings. After the reforms and military cutbacks of the 1990s all of these have been closed, although a new military presence is being established in nearby [[Rinkaby]] which holds an old military training ground.

In and around Kristianstad are numerous enterprises concerned with agriculture and it is usually said that every Swede everyday eats something produced from Kristianstad.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-07-05 |title=Spirit of food |url=https://www.kristianstad.se/kommunochpolitik/kommunfakta/spiritoffood.3111.html |access-date=2025-03-28 |website=www.kristianstad.se |language=sv}}</ref> [[Kristianstad University]], specialized in educating teachers and nurses, is located at the old garrison ground for the I6 North Scanian Infantry Regiment (later mechanized as Pansar Regiment 6).

==Culture==
The Swedish Film industry ([[Svensk Filmindustri]]) commenced its activities in Kristianstad in the 1910s,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Kristianstad – svensk films vagga - SFdb |url=https://www.svenskfilmdatabas.se/sv/kristianstad-svensk-films-vagga/ |access-date=2024-03-02 |language=swedish}}</ref> before moving to Stockholm in 1920. Today the old studio is a museum where you can visit Sweden's very first film studio, preserved and restored to its original condition from 1909. The pioneering days of film in Kristianstad with 'Svenska bio' are the prelude to the heyday of Swedish film and its international breakthrough.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-01-17 |title=Filmmuseet |url=https://regionmuseet.se/filmmuseet/ |access-date=2024-03-28 |website=Regionmuseet Skåne |language=sv-SE}}</ref>

Kristianstad Art Gallery is located in the old post office building from 1917, designed by architect Erik Lallerstedt, and shares an entrance with the Kristianstad Regional Museum. Kristianstad Art Gallery is run by the cultural heritage organization Regionmuseet Skåne on behalf of Kristianstad Municipality and was inaugurated in December 2001. The focus is on contemporary art.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Om oss |url=https://regionmuseet.se/kristianstads-konsthall/om-kristianstads-konsthall/ |access-date=2024-03-28 |website=Regionmuseet Skåne |language=sv-SE}}</ref>

==Transport==
===Air===
[[Kristianstad Österlen Airport]] is located {{convert|16|km|0|abbr=on}} south of Kristianstad. Since December 2024, the airport stop regular commercial passenger flights. The nearest airports to the city are [[Ronneby Airport]], located {{convert|92|km|0|abbr=on}} to the east and [[Malmö Airport]], located {{convert|92|km|0|abbr=on}} to the south west of the city.

==Coat of arms==
The city's coat of arms depicts two lions holding the King Christian IV's crowned insignia, the monogram C4. The coat of arms was only slightly modified after the Swedish takeover following the 1658 [[Treaty of Roskilde]] in which the eastern third of Denmark was ceded to Sweden. Since 1971, the coat of arms is used by [[Kristianstad Municipality]]. A reason for the Swedes to continue using the old coat of arms could be its colours – blue and yellow.
At the end of the 19th century, Christianstads Enskilda Bank (founded in 1865) issued banknotes with portraits of Christian IV instead of the Swedish king (the individual banks' right to issue banknotes ceased in 1898).<ref>{{cite web|title=Kristianstads kommun, kommunarkivet|url=http://www.kristianstad.se/kommunen/kommunledning/kommunarkivet/historik.asp|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060105195127/http://www.kristianstad.se/kommunen/kommunledning/kommunarkivet/historik.asp|archive-date=5 January 2006|access-date=22 March 2008}}</ref>

==Events==
In 2011, Sweden hosted the 22nd [[22nd World Scout Jamboree|World Scout Jamboree]] of the International Scout Movement. The Jamboree had about 40 000 participants from 144 countries and was organized at Rinkabyfältet, Kristianstad.

Every summer there is a major beach handball tournament taking place in the seaside resort of [[Åhus]] in the municipality. The Åhus Beach handball Festival is Europe's largest beach handball tournament. During 10 days over 1000 teams, 10000 players and 2300 leaders gather on the beach to compete in the sport. The festival was founded in 1997.

==Notable natives==
*[[Magnus Colcord Heurlin]], artist from Alaska
*[[Ingeman Arbnor]], economist
*[[Fredrik Böök]], author
*[[Bror Erik Friberg]], Judge of Assessment Court, [[New Zealand]], 1877
*[[Ann-Louise Hanson]], singer
*[[Bo Lundgren]], politician
*[[Emma Lundberg (artist)|Emma Lundberg]], artist and architect
*[[Augusta Lundin]], fashion designer
*[[Hulda Lundin]], tailor and educator
*[[Åke Ohlmarks]], writer
*[[Vivi Sylwan]], textile historian and curator
*[[Johan Christopher Toll]], soldier
*[[Carl Trägårdh|Carl Ludvig Trägårdh]], artist
*[[Lisa Nordén]], professional triathlete, 2008 Olympian and 2012 Olympic silver medalist
*[[Timothy Liljegren]], professional ice hockey player, Toronto Maple Leafs
*[[Kosovare Asllani]], professional football player
*[[Johan Stureson]], racing driver
*[[Olle Jönsson]], singer of [[Lasse Stefanz]]
*[[Anders Linderoth]], professional football player
*[[Ella Tiritiello]], singer

==Sister cities==
Kristianstad has two sister cities:<ref name=sister>{{cite web|title=Twin Cities |url=http://www.kristianstad.se/sv/Kristianstads-kommun/Sprak/English/International/Twin-Towns/ |publisher=Kristianstad |access-date=29 April 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160406173853/http://www.kristianstad.se/sv/kristianstads-kommun/sprak/english/international/twin-towns/ |archive-date= 6 April 2016 }}</ref>
*{{flagicon|DEN}} [[Køge Municipality|Køge]], Denmark
*{{flagicon|GER}} [[Rendsburg]], Germany

==Sights==
<gallery>
File:Kristianstad 070628-3.JPG|Stora Kronohuset
File:Kristianstad 070628-4.JPG|Railway station
File:Kristianstad 070628-5.JPG|Citygate
File:Kristianstad 070628-6.JPG|Cityhotel (Stadshotellet), also the Freemason House
File:Kristianstad 070628-7.JPG|Theatre
File:Kristianstad 070628-2.JPG|Heliga Trefaldighetskyrkan
File:Kvarnen2_kristianstad.jpg|Kvarnen
File:Kristianstad stora torg.JPG|Lilla torg
File:Bridge across Helge å.JPG|Old railroad bridge across Helge å
</gallery>

==See also==
*[[University College of Kristianstad]]
*[[Kristianstad County]] (abolished 1998)
*[https://visitkristianstad.se/ Kristianstad Tourism]
*[http://www.vattenriket.kristianstad.se/eng/index.php Kristianstads Vattenrike Biosphere Reserve]

== References ==
* ''Some material has been incorporated from the corresponding article on Swedish Wikipedia''
Brew, Margit ''[https://web.archive.org/web/20100523110357/http://scandinavianfootprints.com/ Scandinavian footprints: a history of Scandinavians settling in New Zealand]'' Auckland, NZ: M.Brew, c2007.

===Notes===
{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}

==External links==
{{Commons}}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20081204102228/http://www.kristianstad.se/sv/Kristianstads-kommun/Sprak/English/ Kristianstad Municipality] - Official site
*[https://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/11/science/earth/11fossil.html?pagewanted=all Using Waste, Swedish City Cuts Its Fossil Fuel Use]

{{Localities in Kristianstad Municipality}}
{{30 most populous cities of Sweden}}
{{Skåne County}}
{{Cities founded by Christian IV}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Kristianstad| ]]
[[Category:Municipal seats of Skåne County]]
[[Category:Swedish municipal seats]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1614]]
[[Category:Lowest points of countries]]
[[Category:17th-century establishments in Scania]]
[[Category:Cities in Sweden]]
[[Category:Christian IV of Denmark]]

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Kristianstad