Ystad

The weather was beautiful today.   The weather has been a little sketchy with it raining often and the temperature only intermittently hitting 70 degrees.  I know that most everyone in the U.S. is suffering from the horrible heat wave, so with that in mind, I am not complaining.  Anyway, since it was beautiful, we took a train to Ystad.
Ystad is around 35 miles southeast of Malmo.  I do not remember how old it is, but there are many buildings from the 13th century.

So here is the tour!

There is a ferry in Ystad that goes to a Danish island.  Thus the Danish and Swedish flags fly at this port.

I don't know why this was on the side of a building.  Perhaps there used to be a public telephone here.   But I thought it was great, so I took this picture and am sharing it with you.

I know you are seeing this twice.  Just ignore that - technical difficulties.   This 16th century "stepped gable" building is said to be the oldest school building in Scandinavia.

The church of Saint Maria dates back to the 13th century.   It of course started as a Catholic church, but, after some... friction... it became Lutheran.   It remains Lutheran. The tower actually dates back to "only" 1706, as the original tower  collapsed in the 17th century.  The church appears so plain on the outside, we were not prepared for the beauty that we found within. 

From the entryway, looking at the front of the church.

A closer look at the altar.  Beautiful.

From the front, looking toward the back of the church.  Note the pipe organ.   Also notice that along the aisle there are burial markers.  There are more throughout the church.  Most date back to the 17th century.

This is part of an altar screen that  dates back to the 15th century and is now in the christening chapel.   This section is probably around 18 x 14 inches, and the entire screen is probably around 4 x 5 feet. 

Outside the church and down the street we passed a small hotel.   In the picture below, the word "rum" means "room".   So pretty...

And finally - for all you Buffalonians, I give you part of the menu at the local brewpub.  How fun is that?!

It really is a small world.