The history of Åhus

The ‘Transval Settlement’ dates from about 800 AD. This large settlement was once an important trading and crafts centre and traders came here from all over the known world.

Finds from the 12th century have been found within the Åhus city limits. A link between the Transval Settlement and the Middle Ages town perhaps?

The first mention of Åhus is in a document from 1149 when the region was given to Archbishop Eskil of Lund. Things now began to move faster.

In the 12th century Maria Church and the fortress of Aosehus were built. In the 13th century Åhus was granted city privileges, in 1243 the Dominican monastery was founded and in 1252 the St Jörgen’s leprosy hospital was built. The city wall was constructed in the 14th century.

The town was an important centre in Skåne and was recognised as East Skåne’s most important centre and port of trade and commerce.

Following the Reformation in 1536, the city suffered a decline in importance and the city privileges were withdrawn in 1617. The founding of Kristianstad in 1614 was the final blow in the town’s early history.

It was not until the port facilities were improved and the railway came in the late 19th century that Åhus began to flourish again.

During the 20th century, Åhus has developed into an important centre of business and during the 1970s the population quickly grew to 10,000.

Amongst the more well-known companies can be named Vin o Sprit who make Absolut Vodka and a number of design companies including Blå Station, Lyktan, Glashyttan, Åhus Glass and Åhmans Inredningar.

Until the 1960s Åhus had a number of flourishing tobacco plantations. Eel fishing and snaps are still important as are the tourist industry around Hanöbukten and a number of other companies.

Since 1971, Åhus has been part of the municipality of Kristianstad.

(including a summary from Attraktiv Kulturbygd, 1994)