Halmstad

Halmstad stands at the mouth of the Nissan on the coast of Halland. Its harbour and position between the Scandinavian kingdoms made it a place of trade and negotiation. During the Kalmar Union, rulers and representatives met here repeatedly, at the Dominican friary and later at St Nicholas Church, to discuss the affairs of Denmark, Norway and Sweden.

In 1619 a great fire destroyed almost the whole town. King Christian IV ordered a new plan before rebuilding could begin, with broad straight streets and a large square suited to the needs of the garrison. Halland passed from Denmark to Sweden under the peace of 1645. War returned in 1676, when Swedish forces defeated a Danish army at Fyllebro outside Halmstad, while the Scanian War brought renewed uncertainty to the former Danish province.