Mjölby Between Hiking Trails, Nature and Culture

In Mjölby, the Östgötaleden leads from hikes close to town to longer tours through a cultural and forest landscape. Within the municipality, the sections run both along forest paths and through pastureland and are accessible by public transport. The Svartån flows through Mjölby and connects nature with the urban surroundings. For geographical orientation, you can also consider the places Hogstad, Mjölby, Mantorp, Skänninge and Väderstad.

Nature

In the surroundings of Mjölby, the Stora Haddebo nature reserve combines spruce forest, lichen-covered rocky outcrops, marshy woodland and open moorland. It also provides habitat for woodland birds, including the capercaillie. Örbackens kalkkärr, also in the surroundings of Mjölby, is designated as a Natura 2000 site. The Örbackens kalkkärr nature reserve has a marked circular trail through pastureland and the limestone marsh, as well as wooden walkways over wet sections.

In the surroundings of Mjölby, the Örbacken nature reserve can be reached from Mjölby railway station via an 8.2-kilometre hike on the Östgötaleden; along the way, you also pass the Skogssjöområdet nature reserve. Skogssjöområdet is a very hilly landscape shaped by the melting of the inland ice 10,000 to 12,000 years ago. Skogssjön is now located in one of the glacial depressions. The rare yellow-flowered legume species luddvedel also grows there; on the Swedish mainland, it is known from only five other locations. The different trail lengths and trail types provide a clear basis for comparison when planning your trip.

Culture

You will also encounter art in unusual places in the townscape. Avis metaphora is a mural by Carolina Falkholt at Lagmanshallen in Mjölby. It depicts various birds and a judge's gavel, referring to the name Lagmanshallen and the meaning of lagman as judge. The façade of Galleria Kvarnen on Kungsvägen also features Bilder av Mjölby, a spray-paint artwork by Adrian Pettersson from 2022.

The artwork by Judith de Leeuw depicts a person sitting on a unicorn above a pile of rubbish and includes an augmented reality component. Mjölby also has an art gallery run by Mjölby konstförening. The Mjölby Konstrunda takes place every year in August.

Mjölby Kulturscen is a fully equipped concert and theatre venue at Lagmansskolan in Mjölby. It is located near Mjölby's travel centre; the visitor address is Lagmansgatan 34. The auditorium has three wheelchair spaces, one of which has severely restricted visibility, a lift from the auditorium to the stage and a hearing loop.

History

The Kungshögarna burial ground comprises 125 archaeological monuments: 20 mounds, 80 circular stone settings, 9 judge's rings, 12 triangular stone settings, 1 ship-shaped stone setting and 3 standing stones. Mjölby kyrka was originally built in the early Middle Ages; parts of the medieval tower have been preserved. The present Mjölby kyrka was consecrated in 1779 after the older church was destroyed in a major fire in 1771.

Mjölby developed from a mill village into a town. The buildings and collections of Mjölby Hembygdsgård illustrate the local history from the 18th century to the present day. In the surroundings of Mjölby, the reverse side of the Högbystenen shows a family tree and the life stories of the people depicted. The Mjölby hembygdsförening organises several events every year, including Midsummer celebrations and a Christmas market.

Water and Activities

Lundbybadet has a 25-metre indoor swimming pool for swimming, playing, exercise and training. At Lundbybadet, canoes can be rented for paddling on the Svartån.

For the overarching travel overview: Östergötland.

More destinations

More places within the same destination:

Norrköping, Åtvidaberg, Linköping.