Scanning Scania

Of his native coastline, Scanian poet Gabriel Jonssonin 1658.
wrote:But it is Lund Cathedral, the finest Romanesque
" ...the waters from two countries whisper,building in Scandinavia, that is the focal point of the
'Jag alskar dig' and 'Jeg elsker dej.'" ("I love you" incity. Since it was consecrated in 1145, the cathedral's
Swedish and Danish).massive twin towers have told travelers they're close
Scania (or Skane), Sweden's southernmost province,to Lund.
has been called the cradle of the English race. RaidingInside the cathedral every day at noon and 3.00pm
Vikings founded the Anglo-Scandinavian dominion of(1.00pm on Sundays) visitors throng to watch the
the 11th century Danish king, Knut den Store (Canutetowering 14th century astronomical clock in action.
the Great). Legend has it that he named the futureKnights on horseback clash, trumpeters blow a
university city of Lund, founded by Canute in 1020,fanfare, the organ plays the medieval hymn "In dulci
after his English capital, London.jubilo" and small doors open to admit mechanical
Lund is a remarkable city, the heart of which lies on areplicas of the Three Holy Kings as they file forward
massive midden dating back to the periodto pay obeisance to the Virgin Mother and Child.
1000﷓1350 A.D. These layers of medievalLund is just 16 kilometers (10 miles) from Malmo,
culture are up to six meters (20ft) deep in places.capital of Scania and Sweden's third largest city.
Recently excavated were the ruins of a woodenMalmo beautifully blends the old and the new,
church built by Danish Viking king, Sven Tveskaggoffering visitors some of the best shopping and dining
(Sven Forkbeard) around 990 and a nearby stoneis Scandinavia. Scanian food is superb, the specialties
church, over 50 meters (164ft) long, built in thebeing smoked herring, eel, goose and spettekaka, an
middle of the 11th century. The stone church wasegg and sugar delicacy. History buffs visiting Malmo
called both Trinitatis (Trinity Church) and Salvatorisshould not miss Malmohus Slott (Malmo Castle), built in
(Church of our Savior). In Danish the Savior is called1537﷓42 by King Christian 111. The Earl of
Drotten (the supreme ruler). The province of ScaniaBothwell, Mary Queen of Scots' third husband was
was part of Denmark until formally ceded to Swedenimprisoned here from 1568-74.