The canals in Malmö

Map from Nordisk Familjebok 1930.

Click on the arrows for pictures from the canals.

History: The canals in Malmö was originally part of the defense-system. They formed a ring around the town and there were very few bridges connecting to the surrounding areas.
In the early 19th century a contract was signed between the government and Malmö town. This stated that contractors that was engaged to tear down the old defense-walls instead should dig canals around town. This work started in 1805 but took much longer time than expected and were not finished until 1821. But by then they were not as deep and as wide as stated in the contract.
The main reason for these canals was to make the town more pleasant and to take away sewer water. As the canals were not big enough, they they did not cope with this.
The canals were enlarged several times during the 19th century. First time from 1827 to 1829, later in 1849, 1854 to 1859, 1877 to 1879 and 1882 to 1884.

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