Göra i Sundbyberg - Marabouparken
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12 May 2020 / 9 Comments

Marabouparken in Sundbyberg - art gallery and park hangout

Writer: Helena Bergström

Marabouparken in Sundbyberg is a park with an art gallery and a large collection of sculptures. Although we've lived in Sundbyberg for a long time, we haven't visited until now. It was a nice visit even though we realise that we don't always understand art.

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Cycling excursion to Sundbyberg

We lived for about 10 years in Sundbyberg, a 5-minute walk from Marabouparken. From time to time we said "one day we have to look at Marabouparken", but since it was so close, we might as well do it some other day.

Years passed and suddenly we moved away. Had we had time to see Marabouparken? No, it had not happened ... Finally, last week, we took a bike ride to the park and the art centre in Sundbyberg.

Sundbyberg

Marabouparken in Sundbyberg

The chocolate company Marabou set up a factory in Sundbyberg in 1916, and in 1930 they were offered to buy the neighbouring plot by the city of Sundbyberg, on the condition that the public would also have access to the park the company was planning for its employees.

Henning Throne-Holst, the owner of the factory, worked with architects to transform the rugged area into a lush park with lawns, a children's pool and sculptures by famous artists.

Marabouparken

Sculptures in Marabou Park

The Marabou Park is somehow on two levels, and we first arrived at the upper part. Here it felt a bit desolate, and actually also a bit rubbishy. But here we also found many of the sculptures. In total there are 16 sculptures:

  1. Leonard Baskin: Grieving woman (1971)
  2. Leonard Baskin: The prodigal son (1971)
  3. Leonard Baskin: Isaac (1973)
  4. Raymond Duchamp-Villon: Maggy (1912)
  5. Emile Gilioli: Clock Tower (1958)
  6. Eric Grate: The well of transformations (1944-55)
  7. Brother Hjorth: Margit (1946)
  8. Ivar Johnsson: The King rides down Erik Street (1942-45)
  9. Ivar Johnsson: Woman by the sea (1932)
  10. Arvid Knöppel: Deer (1948)
  11. Henri Laurens: The Undines (1934)
  12. Marino Marini: The big horse (1951)
  13. Nils Möllerberg: Boxers (1926)
  14. Poseidon/Zeus, copy of Greek sculpture
  15. Lennart Rodhe: Signs of the city (1970)
  16. Gustav Vigeland: Playing bears (1915)
Marabouparken
Marabouparken
Marabouparken
Marabouparken
Marabouparken

Marabou Park Art Centre

Marabouparken Art Centre, run by a foundation, exhibits contemporary art focusing on the human condition in society, history and the present. The exhibitions vary, and at the moment it was free to enter. We peeked in, and were greeted by a single room where a film was being shown that we didn't understand. But then again, we're not art connoisseurs ...

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Marabouparken

Park and restaurant

Marabou Park is not very big, but green and nice and seems to be especially popular with families with children. You'll see a lot of prams here and apparently there's usually a paddling pool for children as well. The park was actually named Sweden's most beautiful park in 2008. We're a bit surprised by that, but the reasoning is nice:

Marabouparken is one of Sweden's best preserved functionalist parks with a high level of architecture and art. Despite its small size, the park has a poetic, soothing and colourful form with plants and open grass areas that interact with sculptures surrounded by an industrial landscape. The park is a precursor to today's health parks and works well for the whole family all year round."

The jury for Sweden's most beautiful park

The park also has a restaurant and café, Dolk's Kitchen, which serves lunches and pastries. There were quite a few people sitting on the outdoor terrace.

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Marabouparken

Tornparken

In addition to our visit to the Marabou Park, we took a short trip to the Tower Park. At the highest point of the park is a former water tower from 1912, designed by architect Ivar Tengbom. It is now home to the Flatbread restaurant, which serves "flatbread", i.e. "Neapolitan pizzas that do not necessarily resemble other Neapolitan pizzas". There is also a playground in the park.

If you want a view of Sundbyberg, this is the place to be. Here you will also find one of Sundbyberg's literary signs, which tells you about different authors who are connected to or describe Sundbyberg.

Utsikt från Tornparken

More to see in Sundbyberg

It can be nice to visit Marabouparken, but if you don't stop for lunch or coffee, you'll walk around the park pretty quickly. If you want to see more of Sundbyberg, we highly recommend a visit to Golfängarna and the bird lake Lötsjön. Fantastically beautiful!

Göra i Uppland
Want more tips on things to do in Uppland? Click here!

Facts about Marabouparken in Sundbyberg

What to see and do in the park

  • Sculptures: There are 16 sculptures in the park.
  • Art centre: Art centre with various exhibitions.
  • Views: Free tours are given on certain days and times. Groups can book tours at a cost.
  • Workshops and courses: Activities for businesses.
  • Conference and room hire: The premises can be rented.
  • The Monster Club: Children's and family activities on Sundays and holidays (except during the coronavirus period).
  • Restaurant: Dolk serves lunch and pastries.
  • Events and parties: The restaurant can be booked for larger parties.
  • Park hangout: Hang out on the lawns in the park.
  • Splash pad: Children's paddling pool and outdoor shower.

Opening hours and prices

  • The park: May-October between 8-21. During November-April the park is accessible during the opening hours of the art gallery and restaurant. The park is not maintained during winter.
  • The art centre: Currently (May 2020), the art centre is open Wednesday-Sunday 12-17. See the art centre's website for current opening hours.
  • The restaurant: Currently (May 2020), the restaurant is open Tuesday 11-14, Wednesday-Friday 11-17 and Saturday-Sunday 12-17. See the restaurant's website for current opening hours.
  • Prices: Some exhibitions are free and others may be subject to a fee. See the art centre's website for current information.

Find the Marabou Park

  • Car: You can find parking along the streets of Sundbyberg.
  • Bicycle: Bike racks are available at the park, just outside the restaurant.
  • Underground railway: Take the metro to Sundbyberg (less than 10 minutes walk) or Duvbo station (more than 10 minutes walk).
  • Bus: Several different buses go to the Marabouparken stop. See traffic on sl.se.
All our top tips about Sweden! Click on the image

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Att besöka Mannaminne i NordingråVisiting Mannaminne in Nordingrå - a different kind of open-air museum Att besöka Zorngården och ZornmuseetVisiting Zorngården and the Zorn Museum in Mora - fascinating!
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FREEDOMtravel Avslut
12 May 2020 6:00
Sweden
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9 Comments

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  1. Solan says:

    Marabouparken has been a construction site for years. But it is a small oasis for all families with children in Annedal.
    Well, I haven't really enjoyed the art exhibitions so far.
    On the other hand, the toilets, usually a rarity when walking! ?

    12 May 2020 - 7:45

    Reply

  2. Lena says:

    Miss Sumpan! But we never got to the park... maybe it's time!

    12 May 2020 - 8:50

    Reply

  3. bmlarsreseblogg says:

    We also tend to think that some contemporary art in particular is more strange than beautiful and find it hard to see the greatness of some artists, but as usual, it's a good thing there's something for all tastes.

    12 May 2020 - 12:21

    Reply

  4. Ditte says:

    Glad you took an extra look here. Always nice to broaden the views. Sumpan has a lot both in terms of culture and nature. I recognise myself in the city and have been here a lot over the years. Unfortunately, I think that the city has almost been destroyed, but it is nice that some areas have been saved.

    12 May 2020 - 12:52

    Reply

  5. BP says:

    I didn't even know the Tower Park existed. The Marabou Park, on the other hand, we have visited. Personally, we didn't like it, which may be due to the sculptures, which were definitely not to our taste. The best thing about Sundbyberg is the "square" with all the pubs and restaurants and of course the surströmmingspartajdagen. Always the last Thursday in August. I wonder if it will happen this year ...

    12 May 2020 - 20:18

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