Kulturen

Awesome expansive outdoor museum with a lot of interesting historic stuff. Really one of the only interesting things you can show to tourists for a couple of hours in Lund, so it should definitely be on your to-​do list. The history is cool but going through these restored/​recreated building and seeing just how people lived is pretty eye-​opening (especially if you’re visiting in late fall/​winter and it’s freeeeezing). They have some other exhibits on weddings and other traditions but I think just walking around outdoors is the best part.

What a great way to spend a few hours!
Kulturen is an open-​air museum. I didn’t know what that means before going here, but my understanding is that you’re not just in a building, you’re walking around a village, essentially, and part of the museum is what’s inside the village buildings, but part is also the buildings, themselves. So there’s something Disneyland-​y about Kulturen, as the buildings often look magical in an old and charming way. In some the doorways are so small that you have to crouch down just to get in and out, and the roofs are covered in grass.
In Kulturen, there is plenty to see… summer houses, well-​displayed artifact museums, gardens, a metal shop, etc.
Equally great on a rainy day.

I am a nerd. And have been this way as long as I can remember. As a child, you wouldn’t find me dabbling in things like Polly Pocket and Furbies — no siree. I was too busy hand washing clothes in the yard and educating my younger sister on the three R’s in our closet turned schoolhouse. I have always had a fascination with history and the lifestyles of those of the past, so when The New York Times travel section «told me» to go to Lund, Sweden to see the world’s second oldest open air museum — I couldn’t refuse. I’m quite certain the writer of the Lund article was speaking directly to me. Either way, tucked away within the winding cobblestone streets of this Swedish university town sits an open air museum offering a sneak peak into history as far back as 1100. Imagine everything from Vikings and skeletons to thatched-​roof homes with traditional Swedish architecture (think darling heart cutouts on shutters and bed frames with handpainted flowers).
At around 20 US bucks a pop, it’s a bit on the pricey side — especially when you’re nearing the end of your trip and feeling quite financially drained. (Too bad the US dollar is worth peons in the Scandinavian region…) My old days of handwashing clothes and dishes for kicks and giggles comes alive every time I enter a park like Kulturen or Conner Prairie in Fishers, Indiana. Kulturen starts out with a traditional indoor three-​story museum that provides you with background information before launching you into the the village of ancient homes, churches, barns and summer homes. The only thing that felt missing from the outdoor portion of the museum was a herd of goats, litter of chickens and maybe some Swedes dressed in traditional garb asking me questions like «Would ye like to help me church this here butter?» (Notice how I just made a Swedish accent sound hillbilly?) If this had been an interactive park, you know you’d find my ass churnin’ that butter.
Overall, we walked away feeling a bit more educated on the Skane region, Lund and Viking history than when we had entered. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have some beets that need tended to in the garden.

Le resto attenant au musé en plein air est une très belle découverte: un menu midi aux alentours de 9EUR comprend un buffet de salades copieuses et délicieuses (légumes secs, pâtes, légumes frais etc.) avec un plat du jour sympathique. L’accueil est très agréable et un serveur parle un français impeccable (il regarde questions pour un champions sur TV5 tous les jours !!!)