Street names

Whats in a name?

The street names of Ystad are both different and exciting. Here we explain some of the more unusual ones. Most of the street names can be seen on maps from the 18th century.

In bygone days, street names were only used in the spoken language. They hinted at some local event, business, person etc. For the most part these names have stuck but it was not before 1848 that street names were set up at street crossings.

Supgränd (Schnapps Alley)
Dates back to the middle of the 18th century. The street then housed a number of seaman’s bars.

Lurendrejargränd (Cheaters Alley)
In his book Inferno (pub 1897), August Strindberg describes Ystad as “a nest of pirates and fraudsters”, hence the name

Nattmans torg (Night man’s square)
In medieval times, the Night Man was considered the lowest of the low. He was the executioner's assistant and worked at night.

Sladdergatan (Pump Street)
Sladdre is the Danish word for pump. It was used at the public washing place on the river Vassaån by the monastery. In Swedish sladder means gossip, but it has nothing to do with the local newspaper office on this street.

Klockaregränd (Bell Alley)
The church caretaker and bell ringer lived here. This is one of the town's oldest streets; it was named shortly after the church was built.

Pilgränd (Pill Alley)
Called Pillergränd in 1753 when the local chemist was here. It was here that the pills were made; later the name was shortened to Pilgränd.

Västerports torg (West Gate Square)
The site of one of Ystad's three town gates. The original three gates Västerport (west), Norreport (north), Österport (east) were demolished in 1812. The 'south gate' was and is the sea.

Publicerad 2011-11-09, Uppdaterad 2020-11-04