Discover Eriksmåla: Market History and Glass Art

Eriksmåla is a destination for travellers who want to focus on market history, historic streetscapes and glass design. Its long market tradition dates back to the 1770s; old roads, a preserved school complex and glass art also shape the character of the town. A lit exercise trail is another tangible way to experience Eriksmåla.

Market Tradition and Old Roads

The Eriksmåla market has been held regularly since the 1770s. The tradition includes a spring market in June and an autumn market in September every year. If you would like to combine your trip with a visit to the market, you can bear these two months in mind when planning and check the dates in advance. The market square has a long row of connected wooden market stalls. They give the square a clear architectural link to its market tradition.

The roads also tell stories of the past. The historic Landsvägen through Eriksmåla dates from the late 17th century. Another story concerns the old route of the Kungsvägen: in Eriksmåla, it was moved slightly to the east and today corresponds to National Road 28. These two connections to the roads offer different points of interest for travellers interested in old routes and their history.

Glass in Art and Craftsmanship

Eriksmåla’s roundabout is home to Fyrbåken, a work of art by Bertil Vallien, which was unveiled in 2011. It consists of a rectangular steel column with a basket at the top. The basket is filled with 1,000 mouth-blown glass spheres from the now-closed Åfors glassworks. The column and basket form the basic structure of the work; the spheres add a distinctive accent.

Glass design is also associated with Erikshyttan. Lars Sø, Maja Cunningham and Simon Holm founded the glassworks in Eriksmåla in 1991. New forms and techniques are created and tested there. This means that two different aspects of glass culture can be found side by side in the town: Fyrbåken as a specific work of art, and Erikshyttan’s creative work with new forms and techniques.

Preserved Buildings and Getting Active in Town

The preserved school complex retains the character of the 1930s. It includes a large school building with tall windows, a gymnasium and a preserved teacher’s residence on its own adjacent plot. South of Eriksmåla, Hantverkargatan features numerous old artisans’ houses, with outbuildings and gardens. The school buildings and artisans’ houses thus show different aspects of the town’s historic streetscape.

North of Eriksmåla, sections of the old road still have a narrow, unwidened carriageway. Another way to get your bearings is the lit exercise trail: it starts at the end of Vallmovägen, is 1.25 kilometres long and is one of Emmaboda Municipality’s four lit exercise trails. Its length and starting point offer clear guidance for anyone who wants to include some exercise in their stay.

Plan Your Stay

When looking for a hotel in Eriksmåla, your own travel interests can be a good starting point: a stay centred around the market dates, an interest in historic roads and buildings, or a combination of art and glass design. If you are planning to travel specifically for a market, check the date in advance. This makes it easier to choose Eriksmåla based on the themes you want your stay to focus on.

Discover more destinations: Långasjö, Emmaboda.

Go to the main travel overview: Emmaboda.