Stora Kronohuset in Kristianstad, hospital
Stora Kronohuset is a neoclassical administrative building on the north side of Stora Torg in central Kristianstad, completed in 1841. The three-story structure combines a clean, symmetrical facade with formal entrances, while its unusual roof chimneys shaped like mythical lindworms reflect the symbol of the artillery regiment once stationed here.
A new court for Skane and Blekinge was established in 1820 due to rising caseloads in the regional system, and this building was completed in 1841 to house it. The western section simultaneously housed the artillery regiment's headquarters, but the court relocated to Malmö in 1917, with military occupation continuing until 2001.
The building displays the Latin inscription 'Legibus et armis' (By laws and weapons), reflecting its original dual role as a courthouse and military headquarters. The iconography showing lions holding a law book and a sword still symbolizes today the historical connection between justice and military power that shaped the city's public life.
The building sits directly on Stora Torg in the city center and is easily reached on foot, with visitors able to admire the exterior anytime and explore the surrounding area. While some interior spaces house offices and dining facilities, the historic facades and square are openly accessible.
The building housed a special mounted guard unit until 1927, known locally as 'Högvakten' or the Guard House, which was woven into everyday city life. This distinctive security force added visual character to the town center and made the building a familiar landmark for generations of residents.
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