Alright, take a good look at this impressive hunk of real estate: The Continental Palace. Or as the Swedes call it, Continentalpalatset-don’t worry, you don’t need to roll your Rs to appreciate the place. You’re standing outside one of Helsingborg’s true urban giants, perched right across from the central station and keeping a watchful eye over the inner harbor. It’s so big, it actually covers a whole city block. Back in its heyday, this was Helsingborg’s answer to grand hotels everywhere-think Ritz, but with a better view of the Öresund.
Now, the style is straight out of a Baroque revival dream... wrapped in a wave of yellow plaster. You’ll notice the building’s symmetry-corner towers, rows of windows, and, up top, a truly flamboyant rooftop sculpture. There’s Sweden’s legendary “Mother Svea,” the embodiment of the nation, flanked by Mercury (the ancient god of cash flow and travelers-hey, handy for a hotel) and Neptune (lord of the sea, just in case Mother Svea needed a backup plan). The whole statue ensemble was made by a Danish sculptor, Johannes Mølgaard-proof that Swedish-Danish rivalry sometimes gives way to actual cooperation.
The Continental opened its doors in 1884, and for the next 120 years, it was THE place to be if you were anybody who was anybody, or at least wanted to feel like you were. Across those decades, the hotel changed names like it was dodging creditors-Astoria, Baldakinen, Adam & Eve, and, just when you lost track, back to Continental. Whatever you called it, the lobby welcomed guests from all walks of life-merchants, travelers, the odd local dignitary, and probably a few who just fancied a billiards room or a stiff drink. In the late 19th century, this whole complex cost a fortune-although the original price wasn’t exactly pocket change, easily in the millions of kronor, making it tens of millions of USD today.
Every floor tells a different story: parties, restaurants, even a library at one point. The upper floors are now all about modern offices, but down below, you’ll find shops and cafés carrying on the tradition of bringing people together.
Alright, got enough yellow Baroque for now
