After visiting the second largest Swedish city Gothenburg you cannot miss church-like fish market known as Feskekorka.

Shrimps with bread and bear

The visit to “fish church” has become a kind of ritual. People come here not only to buy fish but also to have a traditional set: fresh shrimp with a slice of black bread and a pint of bear. Such a traditional set suits both for workers and entrepreneurs, as well as intellectuals.

When the weather is nice the trade is done on special tables and benches near the Feskekorka and Gothenburg Canal.

If you are lucky and the market that day is on your side, the set will cost 100 Swedish crowns (about LTL 40). Then the tables near the Canal are clearing out quickly.

There was a strong and cold wind during my visit in Gothenburg which means an unfavorable time for fishing. Therefore, the prices in “fish church” were high. A kilogram of boiled crawfish costed SEK 260 (LTL 100); fresh shrimp - SEK 290 (LTL 111); cod fillet – SEK 189 (LTL 72); a salmon fillet – SEK 169 (LTL 65); halibut – SEK 198 (LTL 76); the prices of lobster were from SEK 395 (LTL 152) till SEK 595 (LTL 230).

As in many places in Sweden a care and respect for nature is maintained in a fish market. The price tag of fish species that has no danger of extinction is green. Rare fish species are marked in red warning the purchaser to consider a delicate balance of nature.

The highest rate among the fish

Tourists have different opinions about Gothenburg “fish church.” Some of them are disappointed with the stench of fish, others, however, come simply to look at this phenomenon.

Surprisingly, in the fish market where smell is turning up your nose a high quality restaurant, Marsell, is built. Such restaurants are subject to particularly high standards. There are just a few dozen of them throughout the world. Marsell has shrimp, oyster and wine tasting.

However, it offers simple fish dishes as well, such as herring on bread, fresh cooked shrimp, creamy lobster, shrimp and caviar salad and butter-fried herring with mashed potatoes. Feskekorka restaurant is known for fresh products. Shrimp and other fish are usually caught at night. They are cooked on board in salty water and in the morning they are presented to the market.

A fisherman monument nearby

Gothenburg’s Feskekorka has old traditions. It was built according to architect Victor von Gegerfelt project, which was designed to resemble Gothic-style church. Feskekorka was opened on 1874. Before fish were sold in various parts of the city. The decision to bring trade to one area was made for a reason of hygiene. The building is located near the monument for Swedish fisherman who used to carry fish to the market in special boxes.

Fishermen used to bring the catch by boats on Goethe river and Rosenlund Canal. Gothenburg was always known as a town of fishermen and fresh fish. Fishermen were settling in the villages situated around Gothenburg often at the time of harsh conditions near rocky hills.

There are no traditions in Klaipeda

After the tour of Gothenburg the question is why Klaipeda known as a town of fishermen does not have a similar place to buy fresh fish. There were attempts to sell fresh fish, however, only during the Sea Festival.

There is a tradition to offer fresh fish not only in Sweden but also in other coastal cities of the Baltic countries. In Germany, Stralsund, Wismar, I could see fish smokehouse built in the small boats standing near the quays. Smoked fish is sold in the nearby stalls.