In this article, we invite you to the second part about places in Sweden, about which they do not write in guides:)
The village of Kårböle – the history of Swedish forestry
Hälsingland is home to the small village of Kårböle, which is a living testimony to traditional Swedish forestry. For over 300 years, one of the oldest continuously operating watersaws in Europe has been operating here. Each summer, the local master, continuing his family tradition, launches a historical mechanism powered by the waters of the Ljusnan River. The surrounding forests are home to a „colony” of wooden sculptures hidden among trees – the work of local artist-lonely Sven Karlsson, who has been making his works of wood for 40 years. An additional attraction is the possibility of accommodation in traditional red wooden cottages from the 18th century, which were adapted into a simple but authentic guesthouse.
Hanöbukten Bay – a land of amber treasures
The eastern coast of Scania is a place where on the beach we can find fragments of „Baltic gold” or amber. Most amber can be found in the little-known Hanöbukten Bay. In the small village of Kivik, a local watchmaker conducts amber workshops, teaching traditional methods of polishing and binding this beautiful stone. The area is also famous for its fish smokehouse (rökerier), where salmon have been prepared according to the recipes of Danish settlers in the 18th century for generations. It is here that we have the opportunity to sail with fishermen for the morning catch. You will certainly not find such experience in any offer of tourist offices.
The Lummelunda Caves – Gotland’s Underground World
While most tourists focus on visiting medieval Visby, they forget about the northern part of Gotland Island, which hides the caves of Lummelunda. Local speleologists organize expeditions to parts of caves not accessible to tourists, where we can see unique formations of dripstones and underground lakes. Of particular interest is the history of the discovery of the caves. In the 40s of the 20th century, three teenagers, inspired by an adventure book, discovered the entrance to the caves and hid them in secret from adults for several years, creating their own maps and naming chambers, which have survived to this day.
Monastery of Marielund – Buddhist monastery in the forest
Another little-known place is located among the forests of the province of Dalarna, one of the largest Buddhist monasteries in Northern Europe called Marielund. It was founded by Tibetan monks who fled China in the 1970s. It is an interesting combination of Tibetan architecture and Swedish simplicity. The monastery has an open-door policy, which means that everyone can join the monks for morning meditations or a common meal. A particularly valuable experience is the Tibetan calligraphy workshops led by older monks who teach the traditional art of writing sutra using bamboo feathers and natural dyes. The surrounding forests are full of wild mushrooms and berries, which monks collect according to the Buddhist principle of not disturbing the balance of nature.
Nordingra Skulpturpark – open-air gallery
In the Höga Kusten region, on the coast of the Gulf of Bothnia, there is an unusual sculpture park created by a group of international artists who live in this part of Sweden. Nordingra Skulpturpark is a place where contemporary art meets wildlife. Sculptures made of local materials such as granite, wood and iron are placed on a kilometer long trail through the forest. Unlike traditional parks, here the sculptures are left to wind, rain. They grow in mosses, rusting or growing into trees, becoming part of the ecosystem. The local community organizes the „open days of the studios” when you can visit the artists in their workshops and see their work.
Sweden, apart from the famous trails, which you will find in most guides, offers many beautiful, interesting but little known places. Discovering such corners allows for a deeper understanding of the Swedish soul and establishing real relationships with local communities that proudly share their little treasures with those who take the trouble to find them.