Karlskrona in
words and pictures
Welcome to
our city
Karlskrona is a naval city with a very well preserved built environment. Its natural setting amongst islands
and surrounded by water is an ever-present element too. The unique attractions of the city have earned it a
place on UNESCO’s World Heritage List. But Karlskrona has much more to offer. Like a growing economy
and the TelecomCity network, for example. Its strategic position on the Baltic Sea, investments in the port
and other infrastructure provide a springboard for international commerce. We should mention too the
strengths of its educational institutions and the lively cultural scene. Last but not least – the new concepts
and projects that spring forth and take shape here.
On the following pages, you will get an idea of what Karlskrona can offer. And the promise of a warm
welcome when you arrive!
A place for the
good things in life
A trip around the islands or a walk in the woods?
The pulse of the city or a stroll on the beach? Wireless news
or naval history? There are so many alternatives in Karlskrona
- most of them first rate.
You might think it would be enough to be a city located in the middle
of an archipelago, close to culture, entertainment, shopping, forests
and beaches. But we are not satisfied with a fantastic environment
and short distances to everything. We want to further enhance our
quality of life. Therefore, we offer a wide range of attractive homes, a
richly varied business community and sustainable development.
We work continuously to improve public transport, the infrastructure
and renewable energy and to create a living rural area and city.
Karlskrona is a world heritage site like the Great Wall of China.
The good life is
This is because Karlskrona is one of the best preserved European
expressed in many
naval ports in the world, which we are proud of. So there is a lot of
ways in Karlskrona.
interesting history for visitors to discover. However, we also invest in
It can be anything from
modern urban environments and projects that reflect our own era.
the breeze in the
The city has a wide range of associations and societies and many
musical and cultural events. Shopping facilities are developing fast,
both in the centre and just outside. Our modern sports and events
venue, Telenor Arena Karlskrona, offers facilities for a wide range of
sports and also stages international matches and musicals.
Karlskrona is rich in experiences and we want to share them.
Therefore, our target is for 5,000 new homes and 75,000
inhabitants by 2030.
archipelago to a
square full of people.
Its location makes
Karlskrona a popular
city in the summer,
offering a wide range
of popular and
cultural events.
A place
for business
Karlskrona not only offers many hours of
Hexicon, the business concept of which involves
sunshine. We have a friendly business climate
floating wind turbines. The location, our startup
too. We are willing to open doors to new ideas,
service, the TelecomCity network and an
to new forms of collaboration and to business
inspirational mix of business concepts give
that crosses frontiers.
Karlskrona a buzz and a welcoming business
climate. We aim to make it easy and stimulating to
The development taking place in Karlskrona speaks
start up and manage companies here.
for itself; our industrial and commercial areas are
expanding fast. Karlskrona Baltic Port provides
Tourism and world heritage site
access to new markets and is developing us as a
The attractions of the world heritage site and the
tourist destination. Our comprehensive range of IT
easily accessible archipelago make Karlskrona an
and telecoms companies includes many examples
obvious tourist destination.
of world-leading development, for example
We can also offer excellent facilities for events,
Ericsson, Telenor and Wireless Maingate.
activities and conferences. In particular Telenor
The future also looks bright for the manufacturing
Arena Karlskrona, which houses everything from
industry in both traditional and high-tech areas. We
song contests to international matches. This means
have well-known international companies such as
more guest nights and restaurant visits. In other
Dynapac and ABB and the naval defence industry,
words, this sector is on the up.
which also supplies the civil market. There is great
potential for freight and industry which need a port
Industry
location for flexible, rational goods management.
Our international industrial companies live side by
Tourism and events are growing fast, as are sport
side with our smaller companies. This creates a
More and more bright
and health – with Telenor Arena Karlskrona as the
stimulating mix of large and small companies and
ideas are being
focal point. Sustainable development permeates
also enhances the opportunities for collaboration
incubated here. There is
everything we do. This provides better prospects
and investment in machinery, premises and staff.
a great climate for
for the future and exciting business opportunities.
Many of the end products that are the result of local
anyone who wants to
Partners who participate in sustainable projects
partnerships are sold worldwide. Examples of
start up, manage and
have a very good chance of being involved in and
companies: ABB, Dynapac, Roxtec, Auralight,
develop a company.
developing new markets. This is the case with
Flextronics and Kockums.
Local industry is successful.
Transport
stores, a wide range of cultural attractions and
Many of the products made in
Karlskrona’s proximity to Eastern Europe and Stena
plenty of cafés and restaurants. The public spaces
Karlskrona are sold worldwide.
Line’s and the municipality’s jointly-owned company
in the city centre have also been renovated. And
Karlskrona Baltic Port are beneficial to those who
everything is close at hand. The centre is concen-
want to reach the Baltic region. The ferry service to
trated on one island – Trossö.
the Polish port of Gdynia, which offers nearly 100
shipping lines out into the world, offers great
Agriculture and forestry
opportunities. The EU project ’Motorways of the
Forest, fertile arable land and sea. Karlskrona is
Sea’ is also improving the infrastructure further,
rich in natural resources. There are also many farms
partly by upgrading the railway between Karlskrona
here, in particular on the fertile plain in the east.
and Emmaboda.
Therefore, it is not surprising that nearly 20% of the
municipality’s companies consist of forestry,
IT and telecoms
agricultural or fisheries companies.
Karlskrona is one of the world-leading development
environments for IT and telecoms. The city has
Media
around fifty companies that develop mobile
Karlskrona has Sweden’s biggest motoring
solutions and wireless services. Many of them are
publisher, Albinsson & Sjöberg, which publishes
the leaders in their niche. Like the Municipality of
titles including Bilsport and Allt om MC. The city
Karlskrona and Blekinge Institute of Technology,
has several large newsrooms: Blekinge Läns Tid-
they form part of the TelecomCity network.
ning, Sydöstran, TV4 Nyheterna Karlskrona, SVT:s
Examples of IT and telecoms companies: Ericsson,
Blekingenytt and SR Blekinge. The commercial
Telenor, Logica, WIP and Enovation.
radio stations are Rix FM and Mix Megapol
Retail
Public sector
Karlskrona’s retail sector is growing, both in the
Karlskrona’s public activities consist of the Swedish
centre and in the retail areas outside the centre.
National Board of Housing, Building and Planning,
A number of national chains have moved to the city
the Swedish Coast Guard, the Naval Base, the
in recent years. We have a thriving city centre with
County Council, the County Administrative Board,
nearly 200 stores, many of which are specialist
Region Blekinge and the Municipality of Karlskrona.
There is plenty of
knowledge for both
young and old. Blekinge
Institute of Technology
A source
of knowledge
A good start in life. Or the possibility of reaching
Blekinge Institute of Technology, with its profile areas
your full potential. No matter whether it is learning
of innovation, sustainability and applied IT, plays a
the alphabet or researching IT. The driving force
prominent role not only as an educator but also as a
and competence are here.
partner to the business community. The Institute has
been ranked number one in Sweden and number
Karlskrona has many comprehensive schools and
three in Europe among 56 universities for sustainable
upper secondary schools to choose between, both
development (EESD Observatory). The newly built
municipal and private. And the upper secondary
main campus has an international atmosphere and
schools offer courses ranging from aesthetics to
the growing number of students enrich the sports and
vehicles and shipping. The latter has a national
cultural life and the supply of expertise in the munici-
intake. We are also one of three cities able to offer
pality. But these are not the only study opportunities.
elite expertise in mathematics at upper secondary
We can also mention Hyper Island, which enjoys
school level. Another elite course is in gaming
international success in new media, Sisu
graphics, 3D and animation. These are the fruits of a
Idrottsutbildarna Blekinge, Litorina Folk High School,
partnership with Blekinge Institute of Technology and
the Swedish Armed Forces’ Naval Warfare Centre and
are attended by students from throughout Sweden.
Swedish Coast Guard training.
is one of many options
for students.
Inspiration
for open
minds
We welcome breadth
in culture, discussions
and activities. This
makes our municipality a stimulating
place to live.
As much as we safeguard our heritage we strive
centre) is a recent arrival
for renewal. Different perspectives and ideas
in the cultural arena that
inspire and stimulate enterprise. This helps us to
contributes innovative
grow in different ways.
exhibitions and events.
And in our public debates,
Karlskrona is a meeting place. For new ideas,
there is room for various
different cultures and different nationalities. Our
viewpoints, which
location contributes to this as the Baltic Sea unites
makes debate nuanced
us with many countries and gives us opportunities
and exciting.
for exchanges across borders. It is also important
With an open mind, Karlskrona can be developed
for us to give culture a lot of space. This is demon-
and become an even better place to live and work
strated, among other things, by our popular cultural
in. And with an open mind come joy, energy and
education courses, libraries and museums which
insight, and perhaps even a new business concept.
are subject to constant renewal and offer the public
Therefore, we are delighted to welcome new
stimulating experiences. Karlskrona konsthall (art
citizens to our municipality.
Bodywork parts from
Karosseritillverkaren
ACM AB have found
their way to Norway.
Many long high-voltage
cables come from ABB
– even in the USA.
The training company
Hyper Island serves the
latest trends in interactive media in the USA.
The world
is our market
excellence. Many of them also export a number of
products and services to different parts of the world.
Electrical components from
SWEL AB end
up in Lithuania.
Felix ketchup
from Procordia
is on Danish
tables too.
The IT security company
Outpost24 supplies digital
surveillance solutions to
customers in Mexico.
The companies in Karlskrona offer both breadth and
Long Life fluorescent
tubes from Aura Light
dispel the dark in Germany.
BAGA Water Technology
ensures that the water
is clean for customers
in Brazil.
Belgium is a little
cleaner with
cleaning products
from Sanego AB.
Mercury recovery
by MRT System is
applied in China.
In South Korea,
people choose
Roxtec seals and
cable transits.
The truck magazine
Trailer is published in
Poland by Albinsson &
Sjöberg.
Vibrating rollers from
Dynapac roll well in India
and the rest of the world.
The power distribution
networks in the United
Arab Emirates can
be remote-controlled
using a smart solution
from Radius.
MCT Brattberg has found
a market for cable transits
in South Korea.
The navy in Singapore
chooses submarines
from Kockums.
Some examples are shown here.
Wireless Maingate
ensures that machines
talk to machines in
Australia as well.
Sweden-China Business
Center helps companies
find business partners in
China and Sweden.
AB Karlskronahem
Karlskronahem has the highest number of homes in Karlskrona and offers both
modern dwellings with sea views or outdoor areas and homes by forest areas
with walks. The company also owns many homes for the elderly and business
premises.
Affärsverken Karlskrona AB
Affärsverken offers services in the areas of power, heating, cleaning, boat
transport and city networks. The company works to provide a high level of
accessibility in the infrastructure and green alternatives. It has recently made a
large investment in a new combined heat and power plant, which supplies
green power and district heating.
AB Arena Rosenholm Karlskrona
The company arranges different types of event and tourist activities to boost the
Karlskrona brand. Telenor Arena Karlskrona is a modern sports and events venue
for both training camps and international matches, trade fairs and concerts.
Kruthusen Företagsfastigheter AB
Kruthusen offers companies modern, inexpensive office and industrial premises with
attractive locations, including on Campus Gräsvik and in two workshop developments.
Karlskrona Baltic Port AB
The Municipality of Karlskrona and Stena Line are joint owners of the company
Karlskrona Baltic Port AB. The company’s business activities include developing
Verkö ferry terminal, adding more destinations and shipping lines, marketing
Karlskrona and loading and unloading goods.
Blekingetrafiken AB
The Municipality of Karlskrona is joint owner of the company for local and
regional public transport by train, bus and boat.
Our
municipal
companies
We have a number of exciting municipal companies with operations
in infrastructure, homes and tourism, among other things.
”When I have been able to return to
Karlskrona with our Opera Festival, I have
been struck by how fantastically beautiful
”No city is more
beautiful than Karlskrona in the summer.
The archipelago, the
the city and its surroundings are. The
archipelago is unique and being able to
put on opera in this environment is a privilege.”
Helena Janzén, opera singer
world heritage site,
the Naval Museum,
”History is alive throughout Karlskrona.
the Band of the Swe-
Nearly all the streets end at the water
dish Navy marching
that links us to the rest of the world.”
along Ronnebygatan.
Taking a boat out to
Fläskholmen, fishing
and having a coffee.
Karlskrona is my home
even though I moved
away in 1987.”
Mi Ridell
Actress
Katarina Mazetti, author
”Wherever I am in the world, Karlskrona
still feels like my true home. This is
where I grew up, played and went to
school. Returning here gives me a very
special sense of peace and there is not
much that can beat a sunset on the
rocks of Saltö, a dip in Färskesjön or a
boat trip in the eastern archipelago.”
Peter Jablonski, pianist
Things to know
about Karlskrona
Certain dates and a few key facts for those who are curious.
1679 King Karl XI looked out over the place where the new naval port would be sited: Carls Crona. Carls Crona was granted a town charter in 1680.
1684 The shipyard was moved to southern Trossö. It became a civil yard in 1970 and
still makes vessels today.
1933 Charles Lindberg visited Stumholmen’s new naval air base.
1981 Russian submarine U137 ran aground in Karlskrona’s eastern archipelago and Karlskrona was the centre of international attention.
1989 The Swedish National Board of Housing, Building and Planning moved to
Karlskrona and in 1991 Nordic Tel (now Telenor) was started up here.
1997 The new Naval Museum was opened.
1998 The Naval Port of Karlskrona became no. 560 on the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites.
2000 The Coastal Artillery (Kustartilleriet) was closed down after 98 years.
2005 Vodafone Arena Rosenholm (now Telenor Arena Karlskrona) was opened.
Karlskrona is a city of
contrasts, above all.
History is richly
represented here –
and so is technology
at the leading edge.
Oslo
Stockholm
Tallinn
Göteborg
Copenhagen
Malmö
Kiel
Hamburg
Rostock
Klaipeda
Gdynia
Gdansk
Berlin
London
Riga
Karlskrona
Warsaw
Did you know that…
... not a single hostile shot has ever been fired at the city.
… Henry Ford was not the first? Fredrik Henrik af Chapman was responsible for the mass production of ships in Karlskrona as early as the 18th century.
… Karlskrona had the most inns per inhabitant in Sweden in the 1780s.
… the internationally renowned piano soloists Peter and Patrik Jablonski come from Karlskrona?
… the most Swedish postcard image is here in Karlskrona - the allotment area with 43 small red cabins and fluttering flags on the small headland of Brändaholm.
The Municipality of Karlskrona,
Local Government Administration, Information Department SE-371 83 Karlskrona
Switchboard +46 (0)455-30 30 00. Fax +46 (0)455-30 30 30.
www.karlskrona.se
LENNANDIA 2011 Printing: Printfabriken. Photos: Sydöstran, Matz Arnström, Andreas Blomlöf, Joakim KE Johansson, Stefan Andersson and Mats Kockum.
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