Hässleholm

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Hässleholm


image_caption =
image_shield = Hässleholm vapen.svg
pushpin_

subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = Sweden
subdivision_type1 = Municipality
subdivision_name1 = Hässleholm Municipality
subdivision_type2 = County
subdivision_name2 = Skåne County
subdivision_type3 = Province
subdivision_name3 = Scania
established_title3 = Charter
established_date3 = 1914
area_footnotes = cite web |title=Tätorternas landareal, folkmängd och invånare per km² 2000 och 2005 |publisher=Statistics Sweden |url=http://www.scb.se/statistik/MI/MI0810/2005A01B/T%E4torternami0810tab1.xls |format=xls |language=Swedish |accessdate=2008-05-15]
area_total_km2 = 11.74
population_as_of = 2005-12-31
population_footnotes =
population_total = 17,730
population_density_km2 = 1510
timezone = CET
utc_offset = +1
timezone_DST = CEST
utc_offset_DST = +2
latd=56 |latm=10 |lats= |latNS=N
longd=13 |longm=46 |longs= |longEW=E
website =

Hässleholm is a town in Scania, southern Sweden, and the seat of Hässleholm Municipality, Skåne County. It has a population of 17,730 (2005) out of a municipal total of nearly 50,000.

Hässleholm was gradually developed from 1860 in connection with the construction of the main Stockholm to Malmö railway line. There was no settlement on the spot before the arrival of the railway. The station got its name from a manor situated in the vicintity of a planned railway junction. It gained the city title in 1914. During the 20th century it developed into a military hub. After the end of the cold war most of the military establishments were disbanded or moved to other locations.

In 2002, Hässleholm's Cultural Center ("kulturhus") was opened. It features theatres, a library, a visitors center, and restaurants. East of the town center is the hometown park ("hembygdspark") with a statue called "Snapphanen", by the sculptor Axel Ebbe. The statue reminds of the area's history as a center for Scanian insurgents during the 17th century struggles between Sweden and Denmark.

Along the main road ("Första avenyn") some of the town's most interesting and distinctive architecture is located. On the west end of the street is the Central Train Station, the very nucleus of the town.

Hässleholm's church (built in 1914) lies on the east end of the street. On the north side is the main hotel, Hotell Statt, and on the south side is the town's oldest building, which now holds stores, offices, and apartments.

Twin cities

*flagicon|Poland Darłowo, Poland
*flagicon|Germany Eckernförde, Germany
*flagicon|Denmark Nykøbing-Rørvig, Denmark

References

External links

* [http://www.hassleholm.se/ Official site]