Björkvik on Lake Yngaren

Björkvik is located on Lake Yngaren in an agricultural landscape with several lakes. In addition, there are historic churches, Tors stenar and two swimming areas. The town’s history stretches from the 12th century to the rebuilding of the present-day Björkvik Church after a fire. The town therefore combines a connection to the water, a cultural landscape and several historic sites.

Churches and historic sites

The present-day Björkvik Church was built between 1872 and 1875 in the contemporary Gothic style of the 19th century. A fire destroyed the church in 1900. It was then rebuilt and inaugurated in its present form in 1902. Its architectural history therefore comprises two clearly separate phases: its construction in the 19th century and its restoration after the destruction at the beginning of the 20th century. Anyone interested in church architecture and historical changes will find both in the same church.

Björkvik’s old church is located in Yngersstrand. It was built in the 12th century and is now a church ruin. Mangelboden, a small hut dating from 1620, stands directly next to the old church. The two buildings therefore connect a medieval church building with a significantly more recent small structure. For chronological orientation, the contrast is clear: the ruin dates from the 12th century, while Mangelboden dates from the early 17th century. Their immediate proximity makes both eras visible within the same local area.

Tors stenar (Näckensborg) consists of large blocks of stone. Unlike Björkvik Church and Björkvik’s old church, it is not a church building but a site made of stone. The local cultural landscape thus includes both historic churches and an independent site consisting of large blocks of stone.

Lakes and an agricultural landscape

Björkvik provides access to several lakes. At the same time, the area is distinctly agricultural in character and has several large estates. The lakes and the large estates thus represent two different sides of the same surroundings: bodies of water and an area shaped by agriculture. Alongside the churches and swimming areas, this landscape is equally part of the town’s character.

Different swimming areas

The two swimming areas offer different options for a day at the beach. The Björkvik swimming area near Klubbetorp has bathing jetties, sand, changing rooms and a toilet. Thus, both bathing jetties and changing and sanitary facilities are part of the specific amenities there; sand is also part of the swimming area’s facilities. At Fagerön swimming area, there are smaller sandy beaches and grassy areas where you can enjoy the sun and the surroundings. When choosing between the sites, you can therefore compare the bathing jetties, changing rooms and toilet at Klubbetorp with the smaller sandy beaches and grassy areas at Fagerön.

For orientation at Fagerön, the car park is approximately 600 metres from the swimming area. This information refers to these two points and should be understood as an approximate distance.

For further orientation in the area: Sköldinge, Katrineholm, Valla and Forsa.

For the higher-level travel overview: Katrineholm.