Åhus

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Åhus is the second largest locality in Kristianstad Municipality, Skåne County, Sweden with 9,423 inhabitants in 2010, but the number triples during the summer due to tourists who come seeking the beaches and nature of the Helgeå and Hanöbukten area. Åhus is also famous for hosting one of the largest beach handball tournaments in the world with approximately 20,000 participants. In 2011, in the village of Rinkaby near Åhus, the World Scout Meeting also known as the Jamboree was held.An old town, Åhus gained its city privileges in 1149, but lost them in 1617 when Kristianstad was built, following the burning of Vä by Swedish king Gustav II Adolf during the Kalmar War, 1611-13. Built during the 12th century, one of the oldest buildings of Åhus is Sankta Maria kyrka (church of St. Mary).The town is also center for the famous Swedish Eel-parties ("ålagille"), where people come together during August and September to eat eel and drink considerable amounts of schnapps, preferably the world-famous Absolut Vodka that is produced in the village. Every single drop of Absolut Vodka is produced in Åhus, and is then exported to every corner of the world.