first study visit of the BRIDGE project in Skåne, Sweden
The first study visit as part of the BRIDGE project took place on 3–5 November 2025. The meeting was hosted by the stone Hovdala Castle (Swedish: Hovdala slott), located in the municipality of Hässleholm – the pride of the Skåne region and a place where history intertwines with nature in an extraordinary way.
Several centuries of turbulent history
The oldest preserved parts of the castle date back to the 16th century, but the original structure probably dates back to the 12th century. Over the centuries, Hovdala has witnessed numerous armed conflicts between Danish and Swedish troops – as has the entire Skåne region, which first belonged to Denmark and then to Sweden.
In 1944, the castle was expropriated by the Swedish state. However, the last private owners were allowed to live there until 1981. Currently, the building belongs to the municipality of Hässleholm, which is consistently developing its tourist and educational offer. The castle is visited by around 100,000 people annually, including both local residents and tourists from abroad, mainly from Denmark and the Netherlands.
Excellent location and easy access
Hovdala Castle is located about 7 km from the town of Hässleholm, an important transport hub in northern Skåne. The place offers excellent rail connections, including direct access to Copenhagen Airport in just 1 hour and 10 minutes, making it extremely accessible for foreign tourists as well.
Active tourism in the heart of nature
During a short but very intense visit, we discussed the experiences of partners from Poland, Lithuania and Sweden in revitalising historical sites and tourist attractions in the South Baltic region, especially with the youngest visitors in mind.
At the same time, we had the opportunity to learn about excellent examples of Swedish active tourism. The area around Hovdala Castle is a real paradise for lovers of outdoor activities. Hiking enthusiasts can go on several-day trips with overnight stays in tents, and cyclists can take advantage of well-marked and prepared trails.
Over the course of a few days, we covered a few dozen kilometres, visiting local monuments and attractions related to the castle – the garden, park, ruins of the former library and observatory. We were accompanied by forests, lakes and rocks, and above all, the peace and quiet so characteristic of this region.
Underground attractions and bats
One of the biggest attractions – not only for children – is the Tykarpsgrottan cave in Ignaberga. It is a former limestone mine, now open to visitors with a guide. Christmas markets, ‘live’ geology lessons for children and young people, and film events are organised here. The mine also serves as a wintering ground for bats – we even had the opportunity to see one of them live.
Cooperation, dialogue and joint solutions
Our stay in Sweden was also a time of intensive discussions – both face-to-face and online – with the project’s associated partners. We discussed the activities of our organisations, opportunities for further cooperation and experiences in the field of regional education and tourism for children and young people.
Face-to-face meetings allowed us not only to exchange knowledge and inspiration, but also to better understand each other’s needs and search for solutions together. It is precisely such meetings that build bridges – in line with the idea of the BRIDGE project.
Participants of the visit
The study visit was attended by representatives of:
- Association of Municipalities ‘Polish Gothic Castles’ (Poland),
- Hovdala Castle, Hässleholm Municipality (Sweden),
- Tourist and Business Information Centre in Rietavas (Lithuania),
- Warmia-Masuria Regional Tourist Organisation (Poland),
- PI On the Samogitian Roads (Lithuania),
- the economic association Outdoor Hässleholm (Sweden),
- the organisation Tykarpsgrottan in Ignaberga (Sweden),
- Kulture Center in Hässleholm (Sweden).
