Kärnan

Kärnan is a medieval tower in Helsingborg, Sweden. It is the remaining central tower of the former Helsingborg Fortress, built by the Danish in the medieval period to guard the Øresund strait and control traffic between the Baltic Sea and the North Sea. The name Kärnan, meaning kernel or core, reflects its role as the fortress's strong central element.

The fortress was part of Danish defense networks on the Øresund and was expanded during the late Middle Ages. After Sweden acquired Scania in 1658 under the Treaty of Roskilde, the fortress lost military importance; by the 18th and 19th centuries it fell into ruin, and most of the fortress disappeared. Kärnan survived as a standing tower, and in the late 19th and early 20th centuries it was safeguarded and made accessible to the public. It has since been restored and renovated to house exhibitions about its history and to allow visitors to climb to a viewing platform with views over Helsingborg and the Øresund.

Architectural features: It is a circular stone tower constructed of heavy masonry; the interior comprises a stair and small rooms that historically served as guard quarters and storage. The tower stands on a hill in the city center and is a landmark in Helsingborg.