Feskekôrka is pronounced as “fehska-shurka” and means “Fish Church.” The name comes from the striking shape of the building, but is also testament to the importance of fishing to the region. Exquisite Swedish salmon, fresh oysters and other fish and crayfish from the cold, fertile waters around Gothenburg are immaculately presented on beds of ice. As you browse the stalls, the bustle of the city’s liveliest fish market echoes from the slanted wooden eaves.
Feskekôrka, alongside the mouth of the Rosenlund Canal, was designed after the medieval Norwegian stave churches in 1874, an idea of architect Victor von Gegorfelt. He chose the structure to be a large hall without pillars to allow for public fish auctions. The building was considered futuristic at the time and remains eye-catching today. Steeply slanting eaves along with high, arched windows give it the appearance of a church. Inside, the abundance of white-painted wood lends it a coastal Scandinavian feel.
This is not an average fish market. See the large salmon, mackerel, herring and bass resting in fanciful displays that make use of skillfully cut vegetables for color and shape. See “dancing” shrimp, live lobsters, onion “pearls,” “penguins” made of eggplants and cocktail glasses full of prawns with lettuce. There are fresh oysters too. Visit at Easter season to watch Feskekôrka’s traders taking part in Nordic oyster-opening championships.
Wander the aisles between the stalls and choose from a huge variety of locally caught ready-to-eat delights, such as a smörgåslängd (gourmet sandwich) for a picnic in the park. If you’d rather eat there, select a table at one of the hall’s restaurants for lunch. The chefs are usually happy to divert from the menu and cook a particular fish you have seen on display in the market.
Feskekôrka is located at the mouth of the Rosenlund Canal and is closed on Sundays, Mondays and Saturday late afternoons. It closes at night, but is wonderfully lit up for scenic photographs. The fish market is within easy walking distance from anywhere in central Gothenburg.
