Vanserum: A Waterscape and Traces of Culture

Vanserum is shaped by the Vanserum-Bäck Nature Reserve in Mittlandet, wetlands and a large Malm settlement. There are also archaeological traces and the Mittlandsleden, which runs through the protected area. Nature and cultural history are therefore two key themes to consider when planning a trip. If you are deciding which character of place best suits your interests, you can get a sense of Vanserum through its waterscape, the trail and its varied historical evidence.

Wetlands and a watercourse

A winding stream flows between Högsmossen and Kvarnmossen. It still carries water when other streams on Öland are usually dry. The Åkerby spring rises in Högsmossen; from there, the stream flows through the wetlands to Kvarnmossen in Vanserum. The spring, stream and wetlands give the landscape a clear connection. The comparison with other streams on Öland is also part of this picture: this watercourse continues to flow when they are usually dry. For nature lovers, the area of interest is therefore not limited to the nature reserve, but also includes the succession of spring, stream and wetlands.

The Mittlandsleden in the nature reserve

The Mittlandsleden runs through the Vanserum-Bäck Nature Reserve and is clearly marked with orange markers. If you plan to include the trail in your trip, you should also take the weather into account. In the wider region, the Mittlandsleden can be wet during rain or after rain in the preceding days; rubber boots or sturdy hiking shoes are then needed. Choose your footwear based on rainfall in the preceding days. The trail’s route through the protected area and its weather-dependent conditions are both important planning considerations.

Archaeological traces and the Malm settlement

Finds at the springs of Vanserum suggest that a prehistoric sacrificial site once existed there. Immediately north of the stone cairn Kråkrör, on Vanserum’s land, is a complex of five house foundations. Stenberger described it as one of the finest and most interesting on Öland. The possible sacrificial site at the springs and the complex of house foundations are distinct archaeological points of reference for exploring the area’s history. The five house foundations are tangible structural remains; by contrast, the existence of the sacrificial site remains a cautious interpretation of the finds at the springs.

Vanserum’s large Malm settlement consists of numerous huts and small-scale agricultural buildings constructed around the turn of the 20th century. On the Mittlandsleden, Vanserum’s malm is identified as a well-preserved building from around 1900. This presents two different scales side by side: a settlement with many smaller buildings and a single designated building. For those interested in culture, this architectural perspective complements the archaeological themes with evidence from around 1900.

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