Åhus facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Åhus
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Åhus, marketplace
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 Åhus
Location in Skåne
Åhus
Location in Sweden
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| Country |  Sweden |
| Province |  Skåne |
| County | Skåne County |
| Municipality | Kristianstad Municipality |
| Area | |
| • Total | 9.63 km2 (3.72 sq mi) |
| Population
(31 December 2010)
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| • Total | 9,423 |
| • Density | 978/km2 (2,530/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+2 (CEST) |
Åhus (pronounced like Oh-hoos) is a lively town in Skåne County, Sweden. It's the second largest place in Kristianstad Municipality. About 9,840 people live here.
During the summer, Åhus becomes a popular spot for tourists. Its population can triple as visitors come to enjoy the beautiful beaches. They also explore the nature around the Helgeå river and Hanöbukten bay.
Åhus is famous for a huge beach handball tournament. Around 20,000 people take part in this exciting event. In 2011, a big international Scout meeting was held nearby in the village of Rinkaby.
Contents
History of Åhus
The history of Åhus goes way back to the late Iron Age. This was a time when an important trading post was set up. It was located a bit upstream from where the town is today.
In the 11th century, a castle was built near the town. It was thought that Archbishop Eskil of Lund built it. But new discoveries suggest it might be even older.
Åhus was first called Aos in 1296. This name means 'estuary' or 'river mouth'. Over time, its spelling changed to Åhus. This might have happened because of Low German language influences.
Old Buildings and Town Rights
One of the oldest buildings in Åhus is Sankta Maria kyrka. This church was built during the 12th century. It is also known as the church of St. Mary.
Åhus was a very important trading town in the Danish kingdom. It was most successful between the 13th and 15th centuries. During this time, the town was connected to the Diocese of Lund.
A strong wall was built around half of the town. A ditch with water, called a moat, protected the other half. The ruins of this wall are still visible today. They are the second best preserved medieval wall remains in modern-day Sweden.
Åhus received its official town privileges in 1149. However, it lost these rights in 1617. This happened after the town of Vä was burned down during a war. A new fortress town, Kristianstad, was then built by King Christian IV.
The medieval town hall of Åhus is partly preserved. You can see parts of it in the building that now houses the Åhus museum. Åhus became less important after the Reformation in the 16th century. Swedish attacks also caused damage, turning the castle into ruins.
In 1658, Åhus became part of Sweden. This happened after the Treaty of Roskilde was signed.
Åhus as a Seaside Resort
Åhus has been known as a seaside resort for a long time. Even in the late 1800s, special "bathing trains" ran from Kristianstad to Åhus. On hot summer days, thousands of people would arrive to enjoy Täppetstranden beach.
Local Traditions and Products
The town is also known for its traditional "Eel-parties" (called "ålagille"). People gather in August and September to eat smoked eel.
Åhus is home to the production of Absolut Vodka. This famous drink is made here and then sent to many places around the world.
In 1950, an ice cream factory called Åhus Glass was built in Åhus. Later, it was bought by another company. Now, ice cream is made and sold under the name Ingman Glass. The original owners of Åhus Glass have started a new brand called Otto Glass. They make ice cream using the old, popular recipes. They are famous for their chocolate-dipped waffle cones. Another ice cream factory in Skåne is Engelholms Glass.
Images for kids
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Houses in Åhus
