Nordanå – a green meeting spot for culture

Nordanå is a scenic cultural and outdoor area near the center of Skellefteå. The area's history dates back to the 14th century and has, among other things, served as a market and military site. The hilly terrain, the cultural-historical buildings, the bird ponds and the proximity to the Skellefte river gives the park a very special character. Today, the Nordanå area is used for a variety of activities, including festivals, summer theater and a Christmas market. There is also a large newly built playground for children of all ages.

See a map of Nordanå

Explore Nordanå

With the children in focus

For many, Nordanå is synonymous with the old educational institution, and there have always been children here. The main building in Swedish manor style was completed in 1916 and was then the city's co-educational school. The number of students increased steadily, and in 1936 was the country's largest co-educational school with 396 students. Over the years, the school was expanded to meet the need, but the building eventually became too small and the spring term 1976 was the last for the school in the house. In 1980, Skellefteå Museum and the Folkrörelsearkivet moved into the premises, where you can still find them today.

Nordanå playground

There's a popular playground in the courtyard for all ages with a maze, mountains with caves, games and other exciting things. Nearby are benches and tables, and a large lovely lawn for those in the mood for picnicking.

Barnsia

At Skellefteå Museum is the local historical play and learning environment Barnsia where the child can explore the conditions that existed for people who were early residents or settled in our region; animal husbandry, agriculture and the vital extraction of natural resources; the wood, the fishing and the mines.

Exploratoriet

In the courtyard there is a Science Center for children and young people with experiments and fun challenges. Physics, chemistry, technology and much more are offered in interactive challenges to elicit the joy of discovery among visitors.

Storsia - A local history exhibition

Welcome to Storsia - an exhibition that takes you on a journey through local history in Skellefteå, Norsjö, and Malå, from 10,500 BC to 2020.

Read more

The park

The park was laid out in the summer of 1945 and was inaugurated with pomp and circumstance in connection with the city's 100th anniversary. There were already historic buildings in the area, including the major residence Nyborg built in 1764 and Nordanågården's inn built in 1869. A number of buildings were also moved here to be preserved. One of these is Kågegården, a well-preserved Västerbotten farm whose interior reflects the year 1904. The farm is open in summer to visitors. In the park there are several bird ponds which at the inauguration of the park contained seals. Today you have a greater chance of seeing swans, geese and ducks instead of seals, and the ponds are well-visited excursion destinations for families with children.

Read more about the park's history

Eat at Nordanå

Bonnstan & Landskyrkan

On Nordanå also begins a beautiful walking and walking area that follows the Skellefteälven river and goes past several historic sites. Here is, for example, Bonnstan, Skellefteå's church town, with its 116 houses and dates from the 17th century. The church we see today is a classical cruciform church that was completed in 1800. It is one of Sweden's largest country churches and the fourth in the same place, the first was built as early as 1330. Among the church's furniture are a number of medieval wooden sculptures. The most famous is the so-called Skelleftemadonna, one of the few preserved Romanesque images of Mary in Europe.

Bonnstan - The city of farmers

Few other places have the history as clearly written in the buildings as the old church town dating back to the 17th century. But Bonnstan's history is so much more than what is visible to the eye. The stories and narratives from Bonnstan testify to a living place for supernatural encounters and the occasional tragedy.

Read the entire story

Lejonströmsbron

Continuing a little further along the river, you come to the Lejonströmsbron, Sweden's oldest and longest wooden bridge still in use, built in 1737. At this very place, the locals has crossed the river for hundreds of years. Before the bridge was in place, there was a ford a little further up the river. At the bridge Swedish soldiers also fought against Russian troops on 15 May 1809 when the Swedes were forced to retreat south across the bridge. It is said that the curious can still find bullet holes from the battle in the barns closest to the bridge.

A mansion filled with history

Above the Lejonströmsbron, Stiftsgården is boasts; a rectory built in 1800 with 14 rooms, two wings, a barn and several outbuildings. The city's founder and elected pastor, Nils Nordlander, lived in Stiftsgården during his time and today Stiftsgården Conference and Hotel is located here. It is a mansion idyll for living, dining experience and important meetings in a unique historical environment. In the outbuildings you will also find the café and restaurant Isboden in a building that was used as an ice cream parlor, more simply explained the farm's refrigerator which was filled with ice blocks from the river. You will also find Matverket in the lengths, where locally produced products from small-scale producers are sold.

Stay at Nordanå