Vikbolandet: Nature, Churches and Stegeborg

Near Vikbolandet lies the castle ruin of Stegeborg, which was one of Sweden’s most important fortresses in the Middle Ages and served as a royal castle until the 17th century. The castle ruin is open to visitors every day year-round.

Also Vikbolandet and Rönö are among the destinations presented here.

Nature

Svensksundsviken is a shallow sea bay with about twenty islands and extensive grazed coastal meadows. More than 230 bird species have been observed in this area.

From the main car park of the Svensksundsviken nature reserve, a trail leads after 650 metres either to the viewpoint or to the birdwatching tower; the two branches are about 1.5 kilometres long in total. The area also includes picnic tables, a shelter, barbecue sites and a dry toilet.

The Svensksundsviken nature reserve can be reached by bus from Norrköping, Östra Husby or Arkösund. The nearest bus stop to the main entrance is called “Konungsunds by” and is about 300 metres from the main car park.

On the Baltic coast near Vikbolandet lies the Bråxvik nature reserve, with extensive coastal meadows and old coniferous forest. In summer, cattle graze the coastal meadows and parts of the forest. Visitors will find a small car park for two or three cars, a picnic table and an information board; there are no other visitor facilities.

The Bråviken marine nature reserve covers a large part of the Arkösund archipelago and includes about one hundred islands and skerries.

Trails

A trail just over four kilometres long begins at the mainland car park of the Bråviken marine nature reserve and passes a shelter and a barbecue site at Skutviken.

In the nearby Norrkrog nature reserve, an approximately three-kilometre-long orange-marked trail begins at the car park of Stegeborgsgården, with views of Slätbaken Bay and Eknön. A separate, marked 400-metre trail leads there to a place of contemplation overlooking Stegeborg Fortress.

Culture

The parish of the western Vikbolandet region has seven churches and is happy to show them to visitors. Konungsund Church was built in 1801–1802 as a replacement for a medieval church. The new church was designed by Olof Tempelman and has a granite baptismal font from the 13th century.

Hylinge Oppgård is an agricultural museum established on an old family farm, with origins dating back to the 18th century. Groups are received by prior arrangement; the exhibitions are open from 1 May to 1 October.

History

Dagsberg Church on Vikbolandet was probably begun in the 12th century, expanded around the middle of the 14th century and further enlarged in the second half of the 15th century. Its altarpiece was painted by Pehr Hörberg and signed in 1807.

The medieval church of Å stands in ruins about 1.5 kilometres south of the present-day church. The church ruin was partially restored in the 1970s and is registered as a permanent ancient monument.

The present-day church of Tåby was inaugurated in 1789, but its tower was not completed until 1819. The altarpiece depicts the rending of the rocks at the death of Christ and was painted by Pehr Hörberg in 1796.

Kuddby Church was rebuilt in 1828 during the reign of King Charles XIV John and restored in 1901. Its furnishings include an organ built in 1882 by Sven and Erik Nordström, with grey-painted surfaces and gilded ornaments.

To the higher-level travel overview: Vikbolandet.