Pildammsparken

Can you believe this park was once just a water reservoir? It’s called Pildammsparken, a name that comes from the willow trees that lined its banks. Imagine the scene – residents of Malmö collecting water from public pumps right in the heart of the city. The park we see today is a much grander affair, though, born from the grand Baltic Exhibition of 1914 that took place here. The event was a major hit, drawing nearly a million visitors. They explored its many pavilions, walked along Blomstergatan – the Flower Street – designed by Crown Princess Margareta herself, and admired a giant fountain that still graces the park. After the exhibition ended, though, most buildings were dismantled. Only the Royal Pavilion, known as Margaretapaviljongen, remained, and it still echoes the park’s historical significance today. But the park we see now is thanks to a couple of talented architects. Danish landscape architect Erstad-Jørgensen had a vision for a romantic English garden, but his plans were delayed by World War I and the need to grow potatoes on the grounds. Then Erik Bülow-Hübe, city engineer, revised the design, creating a unique blend of neoclassical monuments with a touch of a folk park, like Tallriken, a huge circular field. You can tell that he wanted to make the park feel unified and grand. The park is still a hub of activity today. Summer brings music to the open-air theater, Pildammsteatern, families gather for picnics on Tallriken, and people enjoy the popular 1.5-kilometer walkway around the pond perfect for a jog or a stroll. Today Pildammsparken is a beautiful and lively park, a testament to its captivating history and a vibrant reminder of Malmö’s grand ambitions.