Drotten Church Ruins, Malmo

Drotten's Church Ruins unveil a hidden gem beneath the unassuming surface of the city's main shopping district. Nestled beneath an ordinary-looking street, this underground museum invites visitors to explore the captivating remnants of several medieval churches that once graced the same plot of land between the 11th and 14th centuries.

To discover this intriguing site, visitors can enter through an inconspicuous green door at street level or through an Italian restaurant, whose terrace bustles with diners during the summer months. A spiral staircase guides visitors down to a spacious, dimly lit hall featuring low walls that mark the remains of the historic churches.

The church ruin of Saint Drotten, believed to date back to 1050, reveals itself as an oddly shaped 50-meter-long structure, possibly serving as the bishop's church. The medieval stone church was discovered during excavation work in the 1970s and 80s, uncovering traces of an even older wooden church, possibly built by the Danish king Sweyn Forkbeard, making it the oldest church in Skåne. The excavation work also unearthed remnants of the monastery, adding another layer to the historical narrative.

The museum, established around the ruins, is a public and free attraction. Visitors can explore this unique space, gaining insights into the evolution of the churches over centuries and the rich history embedded in Lund's underground heritage.