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Mollösund is a small village with a little harbour on the southwest part of the island of Orust and it is one of my favourite places. It just feels great sitting in the restaurant on the pier, 10 yards from the main "touristy sea highway", watching hundreds of sailing boats passing in an hour, sipping a cold drink ...
But of course you don't need to be only 'lazy' in Mollösund. This is one of the areas oldest fishing ports, with a history dating back to the 16th century. It is a lovely village to explore on foot and enjoy the old and colourful houses that are concentrated around the harbour. If you are at the harbour, look out for the big sailing boat called "Mathilda", because this could be your chance to see a bit more of the archipelago surrounding Mollösund as well! The Schooner Mathilda organizes several tours during the summer, and it is really worth it! If you are lucky and the weather is good, they will turn off the engine, put up the sails and go sailing for 'real'.
you can read more about this destination on my Mollösund page
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Another West Coast destination, but now on the island of Orust itself. This is the little village of Hälleviksstrand and it is one of the more quiet places in the area. I really loved this little village as it was so picturesque. The favourite flower you will find in the gardens here is this one 'stockrosa'. They looked lovely against the colourful little cottages in Hälleviksstrand.
It is quite nice to walk close to the waterline and pass the little boathouses. When you follow this little road, you will be able to cross the canal over a little bridge. From here you can hike up a huge rocky area, you have to climb a few stairs to do so, but it is absolutely worth it. From here you have a wonderful view over Hälleviksstrand, the boathouses, but also the rest of the surrounding: the beautiful blue sea glittering in the sun, many small little islands dotted around and the white sailing boats enjoying their day out on the water. All in all very picturesque! Leave a Comment Directions: Hälleviksstrand is located ion the west coast, north of Göteborg
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At the Northern outskirts of the village of Gudhem, right next to the church you will find this impressive ruined convent, established in 1160 as a Cisterican nunnery thanks to donations made by King Karl Sverkersson. Gudhem had originally been under supervision of the nearby monastery of Varnhem. But in 13th century, when Queen Katarina Sunesdotter entered the convent, after the death of her spouse King Erik XI (whose epithet was: the lisp and lame!), Gudhem became one of the wealthiest and most influential convents of Western Sweden. At this time the site was extended, the minster got reconstructed and elaborate stonemason's works were commissioned. Queen Katarina stayed at Gudhem until her death in 1252. A replica of her grave slab can still be seen at the convent.
Gudhem got dissolved in the course of the Protestant Reformation in early 16th century and in 1529 parts of the buildings were destroyed in a fire. Later the ruined convent even served as a stone pit for the nearby Royal Court. Between 1928 and 1969 the site was unearthed and restored.
The convent museum is open daily between May and August and on weekends in September/ October. Address: Right North of the village of GudhemPhone: +46 (0)7 03-84 04 39Directions: The convent lies around 7km North of Falköping. From Falköping take the 184 towards Gudhem and follow the signage.Website: http://www.gudhem.se/text2_72.html Other Contact: info@gudhem.se
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Stocken is only a small village located on the west coast of Sweden. There is not much to do here, not much to see. But the place has a certain charm and the surrounding area is so beautiful and tranquil. I just loved it here.
The blue sea, the endless grey cliffs, the clear blue skies with a sun that shines brightly. The colourful little villages in the distance..... houses like little colourful dots, fighting to hang on to the steep cliffs. Painted in red, yellow and sometimes in shades of blue. Oh yes, and in white of course. And when you look closer you will discover hundreds of other shades, all mixing together in a beautiful colour palette. My eyes move back to the sea. I see the glistering of the sun in the calm waters, the white little dots of numerous sailing boats. Little islands in the sea, deserted, empty, nothing more than huge rocks. And here I am, sitting on the cliffs after an exhausting climb, gasping for air but amazed by another wonderful view....
Please tell me.... how can I not love this place?
You can read more about this little village and its surroundings on my Stocken page Leave a Comment Directions: Stocken is located in Götaland (South Sweden) In the county of Västra Götalands län On the west coast North of Göteborg
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At the Fornbyn (open air museum) of Skara you can find around 30 old houses of different eras which have been removed from the entire province to this place. There are, for example, residences, a mission chapel, a church and barns to convey the impression of an ancient farming society. During Summer the place is also "inhabited" by chickens, sheep and pigs- to complete the picture.
Each year around Midsummer (June 21st) traditional celebrations take place at the open air museum. Address: 532 23 Skara, SwedenPhone: +46 511-260 00Directions: At the town centre, right next to Västergötlands MuseumWebsite: www.vastergotlandsmuseum.se/fornbyn Other Contact: kansliet.skaramus@vgregion.se
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Gullholmen is one of 'the' West Coast destinations to visit. And that is noticeable as it is quite touristy. But the village is so picturesque that it is absolutely worth to go here. The main tourist area is the centre of the village, but if you wander around you'll get to those lovely little streets and corners that have so much atmosphere. I thought this was the best part of the place, just to get 'lost' and dream of living in one of those cosy, cute and colourful houses. You can't really get lost here though, as the place is quite small. Hahaha, you'll always get somewhere to a dead-end as the street will stop when reaching the sea. And without problems on your return you will get back to the main road that brings you back to the village centre.
Ferries go from and to the island several times a day, so it is no problem what so ever to reach the island. You have to leave your car behind though as the ferry only takes foot passengers. But on a small island like this, a car is more bother than it would be comfort :-) Leave a Comment Directions: Gullholmen is located in Götaland (South Sweden) In the county of Västra Götalands län On the west coast North of Göteborg
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 Ferry by sim1
Just outside the island of Orust you can find the smaller islands of Malö and Flatön. These islands are easily reached by ferry from Orust and are great to visit. Like the rest of the area, these islands have that typical West Coast atmosphere as well. Blue sea, rocky coastline, houses like colourful little dots on the coastline. There is a small winding road bringing you from one island to another. And don't forget to make a stop so now and than, because the views are gorgeous. The main 'attraction' on the island is the shop of 'Handelsman Flink' and restaurant.
If you follow the trip you will end up in Fiskebäcksil. Before you enter the village, on the left hand side of the road, you will pass a house which sells the most delicious marzipan and Italian ice-cream! A must do, hahaha, in my opinion :-) Leave a Comment Directions: Grundsund is located in Götaland (South Sweden) In the county of Västra Götalands län On the west coast North of Göteborg
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In the early Middle Ages Skalunda used to be one of 8 royal estates and also Gaetish lawspeakers resided and worked here. So hundreds of years ago Skalunda used to be a place of political and social importance to Västra Götaland and the area was rather populous. Some of the poeple who lived in this far away past have left traces that can easily be spotted until today. There are rune stones, for example, that have been set to commemorate kinsmen or to tell us of great events out of the dark past. At the churchyard of Skalunda you will find 2 rune stones with the following inscriptions (unfortunately the gravure has not been completely preserved):
Rune stone 1:
and Algísl placed this stone in memory of Særli, their father
Rune Stone 2:
...-ríðr raised the stone in memory of her sons Svein ...
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 Rune stone at Ås church by Elena77
At Ås church you will find a rune stone fixed in the outer rear wall. The inscription means:
Þórir raised this stone in memory of Karl, his partner, a very good valiant man
Interestingly enough there's a rune stone in Hobro (Denmark) with almost exactly the same text. Karl probably died in Demark, and his friend Þórir then raised a memorial stone both where he died and where he used to live.
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Close to the village of Skalunda you will find this very impressive Iron Age burial mound, the largest one in Västergötland. It measures 65 metres across and it is 7 metres high.
If you climb on the barrow you will have beautiful views of the countryside and when the weather is fine you will even be able to catch a glimpse of lake Vänern and Hindens Rev.
A Swedish archaeology professor and director of the Swedish Museum of National Antiquities, considered the barrow of Skalunda to be the most likely burial site of the hero Beowulf, a legendary Geatish king. Skalunda is not far from a place called Årnäs, which is the same name as Earnaness where the hero died in the epic Beowulf, and it is located on a major promontory and near a minor one. The barrow has not yet been excavated.
10 metres North/ West of the burial mound there is an ancient stone circle.
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