I'm a former journalist who used to work for our local public service radio station. I have a love for storytelling, old buildings, history, local sports and culture. I'm also a musician and I've been part of the Gotheburg underground rock scene for over a decade.
Majorna is certainly Gothenburg's most intriguing neighborhood, older than the city it selph with historic architecture and an unmatched atmosphere. It is here that some of the citiy's most important historical events took place and bloodiest battles were fought. At the same time, it has always been the home of the working class of Gothenburg.
Here you can get to know the "real" Gothenburg, trure booth historically as well as prescent. Like no other neighberhood in the city, Majorna thrives with life and community.
You connect with the spirit of Majorna and learn about the faith of the men and women that built their shacks on the hills and along the muddy roads of the city. The dockworkers, longshoremen, and sailors. The soldiers, the prostitutes. and the drunks.
Former radio journalist Sebastian is a third generation "Majbo" and will tell you an exciting story about a place he loves.
If you would like to leave tip at the end of the tour you can do so via paypal, swish or cash.
By the small cobblestone square there is a large 18th century villa called Gatenhielmska Huset. On the stairs of that building, a tall skinny guy wearing a green cap will be waiting for you.
Walk the garden of Gathenhielmska Huset, the city’s only preserved wooden townhouse from the 18th century. Learn about Lars Gatenhielm who became Swedens most famous pirate. The house it selph has a unique spirit, with furnishings and details that live on from a bygone era. Today it's a hub art and cultural activities.
We stroll down Allmänna Vägen, the road that connected Gothenburg with the docks down the estuary. Here the the soldiers and sailors passed on there way to the city. During the 19th century, 80 bars and brothels were located along the road, so often sailors had to turn back having lost all there pocket money or ending up in an ditch beaten down by police. We stop at the Golden Hog and learn about Long Liz, the farmgirl from Hisingen who worked at the brothels and how she eventually met Jack the Ripper.
The culture reserve behind Stigbergstorget is maybe the best perserved area of wooden strutures in Gothenburg. The area shows old buildings from the 16th and 17th centuries before the big fires. We learn about the struggles of the shipyard workers who lived here, the poverty, housing crisis but also why they loved to live here and struggle for locals to perserve the city.
Here the characteristic Landshövdingehus (Govenor's House) starts to pop up. The three story buildings (one in stone and two in wood) are unique to Gothenburg, and Sweden, and most common here in Majorna. They tell a fascinating story about illegal architecture, housing crisis and the struggle to prevent the city from tearing down the homes working class people.
We climb the stairs up to Masthuggsberget and take a look at Gothenburgs most iconic church Masthuggskyrkan. From the hill top you get a striking view over booth the city center and Majorna. Masthuggskyrkan is built in Swedens national romantic style, wich can be seen inside as well with almost viking like interrior.
Among the many iconinc structures built in Nordic Classicism in Gothenburg, Karl Johansskolan might be the cities finest. It's the work of professor Gunnar Asplund who created several masterpieces of modern architecture.
Älvsborgs Castle was the main stage for the many wars between Sweden and Denmark, who fought each more then any other countries in history. On the ruins of the castle a neo gothic sugar factory was built now the home of a large art collective.
Free tours do not have a set price, instead, each person gives the guru at the end of the tour the amount that he or she considers appropriate (these usually range from €10 to $50 depending on satisfaction with the tour).