Skanör Fortress

The fish markets of Skanör and Falsterbo attracted tens of thousands of visitors every year. Though his sheriffs, the king guaranteed the maintenance of law and order. Taxes and other duties were collected at the same time. In the Middle Ages, the herring markets were one of the most important sources of income for the Danish Crown. The fortress was erected close to the marketplace around 1225, serving up until the 1420s. An archaeological examination in the early 20th century showed that the fortress was located in an area where simple houses had stood before. Gravel had been filled on top of them, whereupon grass sods were made to impart stability. The fortress consisted of a brick main building, about 8 by 16 metres, and of other wooden and half timbered buildings. The whole site was surrounded by a wooden palisade. Of the two circular moats, only the inner one remains today; but traces of the external moat can still be seen. Stone remains of a building are also still present at the site.