Båstad facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Båstad
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A street adjacent to the central square
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 Båstad
Location in Scania
Båstad
Location in Sweden
Båstad
Location in European Union
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| Country | Sweden | |
| Province | Scania | |
| County | Scania County | |
| Municipality | Båstad Municipality | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 6.27 km2 (2.42 sq mi) | |
| Population
(31 December 2010)
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| • Total | 5,146 | |
| • Density | 792/km2 (2,050/sq mi) | |
| Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) | |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+2 (CEST) | |
| Website | http://www.bastad.se | |
Båstad is a charming town in Sweden, located in Scania County. It's home to about 5,000 people year-round. But Båstad really comes alive in the summer! It's a super popular vacation spot, especially from April to September. During July, the population can more than double, with many visitors enjoying the sunny weather. Some smaller villages nearby are almost empty in winter but fill up with thousands of summer guests.
Båstad is famous in Sweden for its exciting tennis events. The town has the largest tennis center court in Sweden. It can hold over 5,000 fans! Many famous Swedish tennis players, like Björn Borg and Stefan Edberg, have played here.
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Discovering Båstad's Location
Båstad is nestled in a calm bay, with a beautiful natural ridge called the Hallandian ridge behind it. The town sits right by the shore. From there, the land gently rises until it meets the thick forests of the ridge. This location makes Båstad a very scenic place to visit.
A Glimpse into Båstad's Past
Båstad has a long and interesting history. It first received special town rights way back in the 14th or 15th century. At that time, this area was part of Denmark. We know for sure it had these rights by 1513. Back then, its name was Botstœdœ, which means "Boat (landing) place." This name tells us it was an important spot for boats.
In 1658, Sweden took control of the area. Båstad was given new special rights in 1664. It was too small to become a full "city" like bigger towns. But these special rights allowed people to do business, make crafts, and run inns. This helped the town grow. Båstad officially became a "merchant town" in 1858. Since 1971, it has been the main town for Båstad Municipality.
Båstad's Tennis Legacy
Båstad is well-known for its annual Swedish Open tennis tournament. This big event is part of the ATP Tour for men and the WTA for women. It has been held every summer since 1948. The tournament attracts about 20,000 visitors, making the town very lively for a few weeks. Many successful tennis players have played here, including Magnus Larsson.
Unique Products from Båstad
Båstad is also the home of the famous Troentorp clogs. These special wooden shoes were once called Båstad Clogs. They have been handmade in Båstad since 1907. The company still uses the original wooden design, keeping a long tradition alive.
Exploring Båstad's Sights
The Båstad Church, also known as Saint Mary's Church, is right in the center of Båstad. It was built in the 15th century. This church has a Romanesque style. Inside, you can see old wall paintings, a beautiful statue of Mary, and a Danish altarpiece. It's a great place to learn about history and art.
A few kilometers outside of Båstad, you can find the amazing Norrviken Gardens. Rudolf Abelin started these gardens in the early 1900s. They are truly stunning! In 2006, Norrviken Gardens were chosen as the most beautiful park in Sweden. They were also named the second most beautiful in all of Europe. It's a perfect spot for a relaxing walk.
Famous People from Båstad
- Carl Adolph Agardh (1785–1859), a famous botanist (someone who studies plants), was born in Båstad.
- Arne Bjerhammar (1917–2011), a geodesist (someone who studies the Earth's shape and gravity), was also born here.
- Erik Paulsson, a successful businessman.
- Yvonne Maria Werner, a well-known historian and professor.
