Ystad facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ystad
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 Ystad
Location in Scania
Ystad
Location in Sweden
Ystad
Location in European Union
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| Country | Sweden | |
| Province | Scania | |
| County | Scania County | |
| Municipality | Ystad Municipality | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 8.65 km2 (3.34 sq mi) | |
| Population | ||
| • Total | 28,985 | |
| • Density | 2,120/km2 (5,500/sq mi) | |
| Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) | |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+2 (CEST) | |
Ystad is a charming town located in Scania County, Sweden. It is the main town of Ystad Municipality. In 2010, about 18,350 people lived there.
This historic town dates back to the 11th century. Today, it is a busy ferry port, a local center for government, and a popular spot for tourists. Ystad is also famous as the main setting for the detective series Wallander, created by Henning Mankell.
The name Ystad was first written as Ystath in 1285. Its exact meaning is not fully known. However, the "y" part likely comes from an old word for the yew tree. The "stad" part means "town" or "place."
Contents
Discovering Ystad's Past
Ystad's history began peacefully in the 11th century. Fishing families settled near the Vassa river. Herring fishing quickly became very important for trade.
The town was first mentioned in official papers in 1244. This was when King Eric visited Ystad with his brother, Abel.
A Franciscan monastery, called Gråbrödraklostret, was built in 1267. Ystad then joined the Hanseatic League in the 1300s. This was a powerful group of trading cities in northern Europe.
In 1599, Ystad gained the right to export oxen. Later, in 1658, Ystad and all of Scania became part of Sweden. This happened after the Treaty of Roskilde with Denmark.
By 1866, Ystad had a railway connection. It also became a military town in the 1890s. After World War II, new ferry services started. These connected Ystad to Świnoujście in Poland and the Danish island of Bornholm.
Ystad's Growing Population
In 1658, Ystad had about 1,600 people. By 1850, its population grew to 5,000. The arrival of the railway and the military base in the 1890s helped the population grow even more. It soon went above 10,000 people.
Ystad in Books and TV
Ystad has appeared in famous stories. In his 1897 novel Inferno, August Strindberg described Ystad. He called it an "old pirates' and smugglers' haunt." He noted that it had "exotic traces" from travelers around the world.
Today, Ystad is best known as the setting for the Swedish crime drama Wallander. Many fans visit the town to see the places from the show.
Life in Ystad
Ystad's Economy and Jobs
Ystad's main industries are trade, handicrafts, and tourism. The town is one of the best-preserved medieval towns in Scania. This makes it very popular with visitors. Its connection to the Wallander detective novels also brings many tourists.
Getting Around Ystad
Ystad has a busy ferry port. You can take ferries to the Danish island of Bornholm. There are also ferries to Sassnitz in Germany and Świnoujście in Poland. The route to Poland is part of the E65 road.
The town also has railway connections. Passenger trains run between Malmö and Simrishamn. These are operated by Skåne Commuter Rail. Until 2017, you could even take a direct train from Ystad to Copenhagen. This train crossed the Øresund Bridge.
Sports in Ystad
The most popular sport in Ystad is handball. The town has two major handball clubs. Ystads IF plays in the highest Swedish men's league, called Elitserien. IFK Ystad plays in Division 1, which is the second highest league. Many famous handball players, like Per Carlén, have played for these clubs.
Ystad's Local News
The local newspaper in Ystad is the Ystads Allehanda. It also covers news from nearby towns like Skurup, Tomelilla, Simrishamn, and Sjöbo. The newspaper first started in 1873.
Cool Places to Visit in Ystad
One of Sweden's best-preserved medieval monasteries is in Ystad. It is called the Greyfriars Abbey. The town also has another large medieval church, the Church of the Virgin Mary (Mariakyrkan).
Both buildings show the influence of Gothic Hansa style. This style can be seen in many churches around the Baltic Sea. They are great examples of Brick Gothic architecture in Sweden.
Ystad also has old medieval town buildings. These include the Latin school, built around 1500, and several old townhouses. The city is part of the European Route of Brick Gothic.
A special tradition happens at the Church of the Virgin Mary. A Tower Watchman sounds his horn every 15 minutes. This happens from 9:15 PM to 1:00 AM. The horn lets people know the town is safe from fire and enemies. The Watchman also says a special line: "The clock strikes .... All is quiet! From fire and thieves may God preserve the town!" This tradition has been going on since the 1700s.
Famous People from Ystad
Many interesting people have come from Ystad, including:
- Markus Persson (born 1979), the video game programmer who created Minecraft.
- Malik Bendjelloul (1977–2014), a documentary filmmaker.
- Ernst-Hugo Järegård (1928–1998), a well-known actor.
- Frans Jeppsson-Wall (born 1998), a popular singer.
- Lykke Li (born 1986), a singer-songwriter.
- Anna Q. Nilsson (1888–1974), a Swedish-American actress.
- Elin Rubensson (born 1993), a talented footballer.
