Discover Hagby: Round Church and Pilgrim Routes
Accommodation in Hagby
When choosing accommodation in Hagby, your planned focus can help guide you: Should your stay be devoted primarily to church and local history, or would you also like to make time for pilgrim and hiking trails, as well as a meditative walk through a labyrinth? There are several possible focuses for your stay: the round church and fragments of wall paintings, a labyrinth, an Iron Age burial ground, and pilgrim and hiking trails.
The Round Church and Church History
Hagby’s round church was built in the late 12th century, possibly around the year 1200. Hagby kyrka contains fragments of wall paintings from the early 14th century. The building and the paintings therefore date from different centuries: the paintings add a later historical dimension than the construction of the church. Bishop Fredrik Modéus reconsecrated Hagby kyrka on May 22, 2016. In addition to the medieval building and the fragments of wall paintings, this precisely dated church event offers another point of reference for local history.
Labyrinth and Burial Ground
There is a labyrinth at Hagby kyrka, inaugurated on February 12, 2023, where meditative walks through the labyrinth are possible. It is outside the cemetery, on the lawn by the wall facing the parish hall. This adds a distinct meditative activity to the history of the building and its artwork.
A much earlier period is represented by the large Iron Age burial ground on the highest part of the ridge above the village of Norra Hagby. Around 40 stones stand upright there. The burial ground complements the church history with an archaeological connection to the Iron Age; its elevated location also gives it a clear connection to the landscape.
Pilgrim and Hiking Trails
The Östra Sigfridsleden pilgrim and hiking trail is just over 30 kilometers long and passes four churches: Hagby kyrka, Voxtorp kyrka, Arby kyrka, and Mortorps kyrka. It can be divided into several hikes with different starting and ending points. A second route reference concerns Kalmarsundsleden: Section 7 passes the round church in Hagby. The two route descriptions answer different questions: How long is the Östra Sigfridsleden, and can it be divided into sections? Which section of Kalmarsundsleden passes the round church? Before hiking Section 7, it is advisable to check the current route, as trail details may change.
S:t Sigfrid: Tradition and Pilgrim Trail
A separate tradition concerns S:t Sigfrid and Sigfrids hamn. According to oral tradition, S:t Sigfrid came ashore at Sigfrids hamn after a shipwreck in 1033/34. Sigfrids hamn is the starting point of a pilgrim trail to the cathedral of the Diocese of Växjö. Rödfyren on Kolbodegatan is designated for parking when visiting Sigfrids hamn.
Discover more destinations: Åstad, Påryd, Storafro, Ekenäs, Föra, Vassmolösa, Trekanten, Broakulla.
For the main travel overview: Kalmar.
