Medieval Ahus

The project's idea was to highlight Åhus's medieval history for both visitors and residents. The medieval theme will be the basis for new products, services, experiences, businesses, and jobs.

The coastal town Åhus is located in northeastern Skåne and is a popular holiday destination with a high visitor count. In the summer, the population increases from 10,000 to 25,000 people due to the many vacation homes. Additionally, various events attract visitors, such as Åhus Beach Handball (which attracted 75,000 visitors in 2017), the well-frequented beach, and soon Absolut's new visitor center.

The place organization Åhus describes it as a dilemma that many visitors do not fully experience Åhus when they are there, but travel for a specific event or for a day at the beach and then go home. The tourist season is still strongly tied to the summer.

Åhus' historical remains are ready for viewing regardless of the season or day. Currently, there are many pieces of historical knowledge, but no place that collects and makes the knowledge accessible to the public. In the project Medieval Åhus, history will therefore be presented; both as a walking trail with signs, information, as a tactile model, and in an interactive 3D app that connects to explore the sights of the walking trail in depth. The medieval theme will also be reflected in a medieval day with various activities for adults and children. Furthermore, medieval Åhus will be marketed and collaboration with stakeholders will deepen.

The project organization includes representatives from S:ta Annas Gille, Kristianstad municipality, Region Museum Kristianstad, local entrepreneurs, and local historians.

In the project, we have developed:

• A marked walking trail that highlights the medieval sights more clearly, as well as a 3D hashtag sign (2x 3 m) that will drive traffic to social media.
• An app that guides visitors around the village and provides information about how various sights looked in the Middle Ages, as well as information about other points of interest in Åhus. The app has information in Swedish and English and also includes a family trail, where children can collect puzzle pieces at different stops.
• A cast, tactile model placed in the square in Åhus, showing what medieval Åhus looked like.
• Giveaways with medieval connections.
• A map/folder with information about the various points of interest.
• Stakeholder meetings where we have invited the public to participate in developing the project.
• Launch event in the square in Åhus, Taste Market with a medieval twist.
• Collaboration between the place organization Åhus, local businesses, non-profit associations, Kristianstad municipality, and the Region Museum.

The app Medieval Åhus is available for download for both iPhone and Android. The app was launched in its first version in June, a bit into this year's summer season. We estimate that the real results will come within three years, as it takes time to market and reach out with full force. So far, we can see the following results:

• 2,500 people have downloaded the app.
• Great interest and many questions from visitors in Åhus who contact the place organization Åhus in various ways.
• Support for the project idea and increased cohesion among the entrepreneurs in the village.
• A sense of pride among residents in Åhus.
• Interest in the Middle Ages in general among villagers and visitors.
• Used in the teaching of the schools in the village

The project aims to innovatively strengthen the locality's identity and competitiveness by highlighting Åhus' medieval history. By making the village's medieval attractions accessible to all, regardless of physical conditions, the project contributes to making the locality more attractive to live in and contributes to Åhus as an interesting destination year-round. Good opportunity to create a model for profiling rural areas through new technology. With its strong anchoring and collaboration between town and country, the project fits well into Skåne's Ess strategy and contributes to the goals for 2014-2020.