(Swedish: "the core", pronounced {CHAIR-nan})
Central tower of the mediaeval fortifications of Hälsingborg in Sweden (overlooking the Sound). Hälsingborg originally belonged to Denmark, but was lost to Sweden by the terms of the Treaty of Roskilde (1658).
The castle of Hälsingborg dates from the 12th century, but fell into disrepair during the 16th century. Kärnan itself was constructed (according to dendrochronological analysis) during the reign of King Erik VI of Denmark, around 1317. The tower is 35 meters high, built of slate, sandstone and limestone. It contains eight stories, of which one has been converted into a chapel. Kärnan was last restored in 1893-1894.