Skomårtens torg – a small square that has never really been a square

In the middle of Östersund there is a small square that was never really a square — but one that carries one of the city's most beloved stories.

In the 1950s, shoe seller Sten Mårtensson opened his shop in a pink wooden house on Prästgatan 44. The house became known as Sko-Mårten, and people naturally started calling the spot Skomårtens torg — Mårten's Square, or as it's known today, Mårtens torg. A backyard square that grew out of everyday life, not urban planning.

Over the years the space housed small shops and cafés, and the old shoe shop became home to the pub Jane Doe, whose outdoor seating was a firm favourite. Small but full of life.

Then, in the early hours of the 30th of December 2020, tragedy struck. An arson fire destroyed the building. No one was hurt — but Östersund lost a piece of its soul.

The city responded with love. A mural depicting the burnt building was painted on a nearby wall. The old tower from the Grand Hotel — a hotel that once stood on Stortorget — was placed on the site as a piece of art. More colourful murals followed.

And the future? Plans exist for a new building — one that will bring together modern architecture and the historic soul that has always defined Mårtens torg.

Skomårtens torg is a courtyard in central Östersund with a historical connection to the shoe merchant Sten Mårtensson, who in the 1950s ran the shoe store Sko-Mårten in a pink wooden house at Prästgatan 44. The house, which was built in the early 20th century, became a well-known feature of the city center and the surrounding courtyard environment was popularly called Mårtens torg or Skomårtens torg.

During the 2010s, the place was used for small-scale trade and catering, including Lilla Saluhallen and the Jane Doe pub. In December 2020, the house burned down in a planned fire, which was classified as arson. After the fire, the place has been used for art projects and temporary events. A mural depicting the burned-down house was painted on a nearby wall and part of an older hotel ornament has been placed on the square as a work of art.

There are plans to develop the place with a building that combines modern architecture with historical character.

Photos provided by the association of Gamla Östersund.
Gamla Östersund through the foundations managed by the association.