Ivö – Island Nature and Medieval Traces

Getting to Ivö and Natural Sites

On Ivö, an island crossing, geologically diverse natural sites and medieval evidence come together. The Ivöleden car ferry connects Barum and Ivön on Lake Ivösjön northwest of Bromölla in Skåne. It is 700 metres long, and the crossing takes about seven minutes. Ugnsmunnarna on Ivö can be reached from the mainland via the car ferry from Barum. For travelling to this natural site, the connection from Barum is therefore the mainland-side access point.

Ivö Klack and Ugnsmunnarna on Lake Ivösjön

Ivö Klack is a hill consisting of bedrock that rises 134 metres above sea level. The caves of Ugnsmunnarna were eroded from limestone rocks near the shore of Lake Ivösjön. Thus, on Ivö, a raised landform of bedrock and a cave space close to the shore made of limestone face each other. The two natural sites therefore differ in terms of rock, form and location by the lake.

Ivö Klack also has an open-air museum where visitors can learn about the geology of the surrounding area. At least 40 species of fungi on the Red List occur in the Ugnsmunnarna nature reserve. The minimum figure leaves room for additional species and does not represent a final number. At Ivö Klack, the open-air museum complements the hill with a geological focus, while Ugnsmunnarna is characterised not only by its caves but also by its fungi.

S:ta Ursula kyrka and Traces of the Middle Ages

S:ta Ursula kyrka on Ivö was probably built between 1224 and 1228 by Archbishop Andreas Sunesson in the Romanesque style. Its chancel wall bears murals that probably date from the 14th century and depict S:ta Ursula and S:ta Katarina. The church building and its pictorial decoration therefore probably belong to different periods. The church combines a Romanesque structure with presumably later mural paintings.

Biskopskällaren is the surviving cellar of a bishop's palace belonging to the Archbishop of Lund, Anders Sunesen, built on Ivö in the 1220s. The bishop's palace was therefore built during the same historical period as the church; what survives today is the cellar of the former building. Biskopskällaren complements the church with another specific site of medieval history on Ivö.

Ursulas källa is a sacrificial spring associated with Saint Ursula. Ursule killa is another name for the same spring. In addition to S:ta Ursula kyrka, Ivö therefore also has a spring associated with Ursula.

Vines, Animals and Active Excursions

Ivögården Mat & Vingård offers a walk among grapevines and goats. It also provides canoe, kayak and bicycle rentals. Visitors therefore find both a walk among the vines and goats and three different rental services at this location.

For the overarching travel overview: Fjälkinge.