Our final night in Stockholm we had met up with a cousin to have dinner and talk. To continue a similar trend on the night we arrived in Malmö we enjoyed a lovely dinner with the family of one of Dave’s friends from his previous Spanish experience. Based on a suggestion from them, we visited the independent state of Ladonia. Such a great time with all these new people. We also stopped in Lund on the way and dinner in Helsingborg on the return.
Follow the Ns to find Nimis as we are now in Ladonia, about a 2.5km path in. It was declared an independent state in 1996 when Lars Vilks determined it could be claimed as a country when it is in control of its own territory. It’s located on 1km of land in the Kullaberg Peninsula in southern Sweden.
The entrance of Nimis, the capitol of Ladonia. Vilks started building this sculpture back in 1980 and completed it 2 years later when it became the subject of a number of lawsuits which are now considered to be a part of it.
Asher and Dave descending into Nimis. I know it looks a bit concerning, but it’s a lot more sound than you think although you should always proceed with caution.
I looked at Nimis like a labyrinth and the goal being to find the center as that seemed to relate to a lot of places we had been on our trip.
Reading material anyone?
Looking straight up 1 of the largest spires. I watched 3 larger grown men climb almost to the top and I only did a portion bc children were following me. Nimis has undergone numerous updates over 40 years with over 170,000 nails and numerous pieces of wood.
This is a close up shot of a portion of Nimis to understand how its been sculpted. It’s estimated to be 75 tons.
I tried to experience the whole thing no matter where it led me. Just 1 inviting path to explore.
The other side where you enter from the beach. I believe I saw something somewhere that people could contribute to the artwork by adding new boards.
An estimated 40,000 people visit here every year and there are over 27,000 citizens of Ladonia. You can check out more here: www.ladonia.org Its roughly 100 meters long and the tallest parts are upwards of 15m. A 3rd work, called Omfalos, was removed in 2001 after a court ordered it.
This is the “Book” Arx, another sculpture by Lars Vilks made of concrete and stone that some have described it as looking like a melted castle. Sadly, Vilks passed away in 2021.
We took the coastal drive back south and spotted this lovely windmill.
Our view from the restaurant we had dinner in Helsingborg.
This is Lund Cathedral in the center of the city with towers that are 55 meters high. The towers and altar date back to 1398. This is also one of the the stops along the long route of the Pilgrim Way connecting the likes of Santiago de la Compostela in Spain.
Very simple church with the altar being the most decorative and colorful. The crypt was closed for an even occurring the next day, but large parts of it date back to 1123 AD.
This is the astronomical clock that dates from around 1425. It displays signs of the zodiac and the phases of the moon, and chimes twice a day while the three wise men and their servants pass and bow before the Virgin Mary and baby Jesus.