Källa on Öland: Fortified Church, Burial Ground and Cultural Heritage

In northern Öland, Källa can be explored through several historical themes: a medieval fortified church, church architecture, a burial ground, and traces of the history of lime and stone. Those choosing the area for a trip can look beyond a single building and take in different layers of history.

Fortified Church, Churches and Cemetery

Källa Church and the cemetery are in the village of Vi, on Road 136 in northern Öland. Källa Old Church is on the road to Källahamn and is one of Sweden’s best-preserved fortified churches. On Öland, it is the best-preserved example of a church that had both secular and religious functions in the Middle Ages. The description of the church as fortified and its dual function refer to different aspects of its historical significance. Källa Old Church is scheduled to open in summer; check visiting dates before you travel.

Källa New Church is also part of the history of the village of Vi: it was built in 1887–1888 as a single-nave hall church in the Neo-Gothic style. Its features include a three-sided polygonal ceiling and pointed-arch windows. Its date and design distinguish this late-19th-century church from the medieval fortified church. Those interested in architecture can compare the two churches by period and architectural style.

The oldest gravestone in the old cemetery probably dates from the 12th century. There are 300 visible graves preserved at the Vi alvar burial ground. Until the end of the 18th century, the execution site for Åkerbo hundred was also located there; a memorial stone commemorates it. The gravestone, burial ground and memorial stone offer different ways to explore the history of cemeteries and law.

Lime Kiln, Harbour and Historic Roads

The Nybyugnen lime kiln tells another chapter in the area’s history. The kiln was originally built in 1868 and restored to its original condition in 1997 by the Källa Local Heritage Association. The two dates distinguish its construction from its later restoration. Along the cycle path, you can see rubble stones that were used to pack the lime kiln. These stones, too, are tangible evidence of the kiln’s history.

Until the end of the 19th century, Källa Harbour was the island’s most important port for stone exports. This adds a maritime perspective on earlier trade to the history of the churches and lime kiln. The old country road also bears historical markers: south of Källa Local Heritage Centre stands a milepost inscribed “1/2 MIL 1866”. Two historic road maintenance markers, inscribed 318B and 319, stand immediately to its north. Their location and inscriptions make the road infrastructure itself another aspect of Källa’s history to explore.

Källa on Cycling and Walking Routes

Källa is worth a visit on the coast-to-coast routes and routes along the eastern side of the cycling and walking trails in Persnäs. This makes the area a worthwhile stop for travellers interested in cultural history who are planning a cycling or walking route. Check the latest route description before setting out, as route conditions and descriptions may change.

Discover more destinations: Rälla, Borgholm, Djupvik, Köpingsvik, Byxelkrok, Räpplinge, Löttorp

Go to the main travel overview: Borgholm.