©Istock/Finktwajs
©Istock/Finktwajs

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The Kullaberg nature reserve and Nimis driftwood sculptures

2 minutes to read

The rocky, wild shores and lush green hills of Kullaberg attract explorers from all over the world. People visit it for the scenic nature and to discover its art installation in the middle of nowhere. Here is the reason why you should visit Kullaberg and Nimis. 

Explore Kullaberg

In the north of Skåne, less than an hour from the county's largest city Malmö lies the scenic nature reserve Kullaberg. Kullaberg is situated on a peninsula and can be seen from anywhere along the north-west coast. 

Unlike the rest of the county, this coastline is wild and rocky. Österlen in the east might be more famous, but Kullaberg has a unique wild vegetation worth exploring. There are several hiking tracks in the nature reserve, and it is a popular destination for explorers of fauna and wildlife. People come to find adventure in caves, while the rocky shores attract rock climbers. 

 	©Wikipedia/Peterappelros
©Wikipedia/Peterappelros

Walking around in the nature reserve, you might come upon trees with a large size letter N painted on them. In that case, you have stumbled across the road to Nimis. 

Visit the art installation of Nimis

Many visit the area in search of Nimis, an art installation of sculptures created by driftwood. The artist Lars Vilks began this project in 1980, without knowledge or approval by the local authorities. Nimis was discovered two years later. As a result, years of legal battles regarding the legality of this artistic creation have followed. Up to nowadays, no resolution was reached, but Nimis is still standing and is a popular destination for Swedes and international tourists. 

©Flickr/Lars Nilsson
©Flickr/Lars Nilsson

Even during the years of on-going legal battles, Vilks continued to work on Nimis, creating further sculptures out of driftwood. Today, Nimis has expanded and includes several towers and a wooden labyrinth that leads the way down from the mountain to the shore. Several of the sculptures burned down back in 2016, but renovations have since begun.

As part of the art installation, Vilks lay the foundation for a micronation, called the Royal Republic of Ladonia. Nimis is supposedly part of this micronation. A micronation is a small geographic area that claims to be sovereign but is not recognized by any states or nations. In 2011, a fake queen was even crowned at Nimis. The legal battles and the establishment of Ladonia are basically the reason why Nimis fascinate travelers from all over the world.

While walking down the steep and rocky hill, take a moment to stop and enjoy the beautiful view. Nimis lies overlooking the sea, and on a clear day, you might be able to spot the edge of the peninsula. 

There is no café or shop nearby Nimis, so make sure to bring water and snack for your round-trip. After visiting the nature reserve, a stopover in one of the picturesque old villages of Arild or Mölle is definitely recommended. The area is also home to the old ecclesiastical village of Brunnby. After a long day at Kullaberg or Nimis, these villages are a perfect stop to rest and take in the experiences of the day. 





The author

Maria Lundin Osvalds

Maria Lundin Osvalds

I’m Maria, a 28-years old journalist, photographer and content creator from Sweden. I love adventures, being outdoor and living the nomadic life out of my van, as well as being in the city drinking coffee in a bohemian styled café or visiting local poetry slams.

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