Malmö history

Foundation and First Mentions

The history of the emergence of the city of Malmö is rooted deep in the Middle Ages. Unlike many European capitals, it was not founded by a single royal decree but developed organically. The city's name comes from the Old Danish Malmhauger, which translates as "gravel mound" or "sand heap," accurately describing the original landscape of the area.

The official starting point is often considered to be the year 1275, when the settlement was first mentioned in written sources. At that time, these lands belonged to the Kingdom of Denmark, and the Archbishop of Lund built a fortified manor here to control the coast, around which life began to flourish.

Key Factors of Formation

The transformation of a small fishing village into a thriving trading centre was driven by three main factors:

• Geography and the Oresund Strait: Its strategic position on the shores of the strait separating present-day Denmark and the Scandinavian Peninsula made the city an ideal point for controlling maritime routes between the Baltic and North Seas.
• The "Herring Boom": In the Middle Ages, the waters of the strait teemed with herring. The annual fair in Skåne (Skånemarknaden) attracted merchants from all over Europe, turning the city into a commercial hub of international importance.
• Royal Patronage: In the early 15th century, King Eric of Pomerania granted the city a coat of arms and ordered the construction of new fortifications, including the castle known today as Malmöhus, to strengthen control over tolls in the strait.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

By the 14th century, the city had become the second most important in Denmark (today this is territory occupied by Sweden). Economic prosperity, based on the export of salted fish, attracted the close attention of the powerful Hanseatic League. German merchants actively settled here, exerting a huge influence on architecture, language, and the urban way of life.

A symbol of the wealth of that era became the monumental St. Peter's Church (Sankt Petri Kyrka), built in the Baltic Brick Gothic style modelled after the temples of Lübeck. By the 16th century, the city had formed as a powerful cultural and religious centre, where ideas of the Reformation began to spread among the first in Scandinavia.

Key Milestones in the History of Malmö

The history of Malmö is a journey from a bustling Danish trading centre to a Swedish industrial giant and, finally, to a modern innovative city. Key events reflect its strategic importance and capacity for transformation.

• 1275 — Malmö is first mentioned as a city, receiving official status and strengthening its position as an important port on the Oresund Strait.
• Around 1300 — Construction of St. Peter's Church (Sankt Petri Kyrka), the oldest surviving major structure in the city, becoming a symbol of its prosperity in the Middle Ages.
• 14th–16th Centuries — Malmö's "Golden Age," when the city was the second largest in Denmark and flourished thanks to the herring trade within the Hanseatic League.
• 1534–1536 — Participation in the "Count's Feud" on the side of the deposed Danish King Christian II, ending in defeat and the weakening of the city's political influence.
• 1658 — Under the Treaty of Roskilde, the city of Malmö, along with the entire province of Skåne, passes from Denmark to Sweden, which fundamentally changes its future development.
• 1775 — The beginning of port modernisation initiated by the Swedish government, which laid the foundation for future industrial growth.
• 1840 — Foundation of the Kockums shipyard, which for many years became the city's main enterprise and one of the largest shipbuilding centres in the world.
• Mid-1980s — Closure of the Kockums shipyard, which led to a deep economic crisis, high unemployment, and the need for a complete restructuring of the urban economy.
• 1998 — Foundation of Malmö University, becoming an important step in transforming the city from an industrial centre into a hub of knowledge and innovation.
• 1 July 2000 — The grand opening of the Oresund Bridge, connecting Malmö with Copenhagen and giving a powerful impetus to the economic and cultural revival of the city.
• 2005 — Completion of the Turning Torso skyscraper, which became the new architectural symbol of a modern and dynamically developing Malmö.

Major Milestones in Malmö's Development

Malmö's path is a vivid example of transformation: from a medieval centre of trade to an industrial giant that survived a crisis, and was reborn as an innovative and cultural hub. These key stages have shaped the modern appearance of the city.

The Industrial Revolution and Kockums Shipyard

From the mid-19th century, especially after the construction of the railway, Malmö turned into one of Sweden's leading industrial centres. Founded in 1840, the Kockums shipyard became the heart of the urban economy. For over a hundred years, it was one of the largest shipbuilding enterprises in the world, defining the life and identity of Malmö as a working-class city.

Post-Industrial Crisis

The closure of the Kockums shipyard in the mid-1980s was a real shock for Malmö. The city faced a deep economic downturn, mass unemployment, and the loss of its main symbol. This crisis forced the city authorities to seek entirely new paths for development.

Transformation into a City of Knowledge

One of the key decisions on the road to revival was the founding of Malmö University in 1998. This event marked a paradigm shift: from heavy industry to an economy based on knowledge, innovation, and education. Today, the university is one of the largest in the country and attracts young people to the city.

Construction of the Oresund Bridge

The opening of the Oresund Bridge in 2000, connecting Malmö with Copenhagen, became a turning point in the city's modern history. The bridge not only solved the transport problem but also integrated Malmö into one of the most dynamic regions in Europe, creating a cross-border agglomeration. This gave a powerful boost to the economy, tourism, and cultural exchange.

Urban Renewal: The Western Harbour

The transformation of the former industrial zone of the Kockums shipyard into the new Western Harbour district (Västra Hamnen) is a symbol of Malmö's rebirth. On the site of abandoned docks, a modern, environmentally friendly residential and business quarter has grown. Its architectural landmark and the new symbol of the city is the Turning Torso skyscraper, completed in 2005.

The architectural appearance of Malmö is a visual history of the city, where medieval Danish structures sit alongside ambitious projects of modern Sweden. Malmö's development from a trading port to an innovation centre is reflected in its buildings, representing a mix of eras and styles.

Middle Ages and Renaissance: Hanseatic Heritage

The historic city centre preserves the memory of times when Malmö was the second most important city in Denmark. The dominant style of this era is Baltic Brick Gothic, the brightest example of which is St. Peter's Church (Sankt Petri Kyrka), founded in the early 14th century. Its architecture was strongly influenced by German Hanseatic cities such as Lübeck. The heart of the old town comprises the squares Stortorget (Big Square) and Lilla Torg (Little Square), surrounded by historic buildings. Here one can see the Town Hall, built in 1546 and later rebuilt in the Dutch Renaissance style, as well as numerous half-timbered houses from the 16th-17th centuries, creating the atmosphere of a medieval trading city.

Industrial Era: Growth and New Styles

In the 19th century, after passing under Swedish rule and the construction of the railway, Malmö turned into a major industrial centre. This period brought eclecticism, National Romanticism, and Art Nouveau (or Jugendstil) to the urban landscape. Monumental public buildings, banks, and tenement houses appeared, reflecting the city's growing prosperity. The architecture of this time is characterised by the use of red brick, granite, and rich decoration. Examples include the former Scala cinema building (1905) or the Hippodromen (1899). Many residential quarters that form the modern structure of the city were also laid out during this time.

Modernism and Post-Industrial Transformation

In the 20th century, Malmö's architecture developed along the lines of functionalism and modernism, especially in the post-war period. However, a real revolution in urban planning occurred at the turn of the 20th and 21st centuries, when the city was experiencing a crisis following the closure of the Kockums shipyard. This triggered a large-scale rethinking of urban space.

The key project was the renovation of the former industrial zone of the Western Harbour (Västra Hamnen). This district has turned into a showcase of modern eco-friendly architecture and sustainable development. Its main symbol and the new landmark for the entire city became the neo-futurist skyscraper Turning Torso, designed by the famous Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava and opened in 2005. This 190-metre residential building, twisting 90 degrees from base to top, has become the embodiment of a new, innovative, and dynamic Malmö.

Distinguished Figures Connected to Malmö

The city of Malmö, with its rich and diverse history, has been the birthplace or training ground for many iconic figures in the worlds of sport, art, and public life. These individuals have left a significant mark not only on the history of Sweden but also on the global stage.

• Zlatan Ibrahimović (born 1981) — Footballer. One of the most famous and charismatic footballers of his generation. Ibrahimović was born in Malmö and began his professional career at the local club "Malmö FF" in 1999. He is considered one of the greatest Swedish athletes of all time and is a symbol of multicultural Malmö.
• Anita Ekberg (1931–2015) — Actress and model. Born in Malmö, she won the "Miss Sweden" contest and went on to conquer Hollywood. She gained worldwide fame for her role as Sylvia in Federico Fellini's cult film "La Dolce Vita" (1960), particularly the scene in the Trevi Fountain, which made her one of the most glamorous icons of the era.
• Jörgen Kock (c. 1500–1565) — Mayor and mint master. An influential politician and businessman during the period when Malmö was one of the most important cities in Denmark. He was the city's mayor in the 16th century and played a key role in its economic development and the implementation of the Reformation in the region. His house on Stortorget square remains one of the city's landmark buildings.
• Alice Lyttkens (1897–1991) — Writer. A native of Malmö, Lyttkens was one of the most widely read Swedish female writers of the mid-20th century. In her novels, she often raised the theme of female emancipation, exploring the possibility for women to combine a career and family life, which was highly relevant for her time.
• Lukas Moodysson (born 1969) — Film director and writer. Although he was not born in Malmö itself but nearby, his youth and creative formation are closely linked to the city. Moodysson is one of the most famous contemporary Swedish directors, author of films such as "Show Me Love" (Fucking Åmål) and "Together" (Tillsammans), which have received international acclaim.
• Frans Suell (1744–1817) — Entrepreneur and philanthropist. A key figure in the history of Malmö who initiated the construction of the modern port in 1775. This project gave a powerful impetus for transforming the city from a small provincial town into a major industrial and trading centre in the 19th century, laying the foundation for its future prosperity.
• Nina Persson (born 1974) — Singer and songwriter. The lead vocalist and main lyricist of the popular Swedish band The Cardigans, formed in 1992. Although the band itself is from Jönköping, Persson lived and worked in Malmö for a long time, and the city became an important part of her creative life.