Brastad – Rock Carvings, Via Sacra and the Kvarnebäcken Valley System

Brastad offers an unusual combination of prehistoric culture, historic architecture, and open agricultural landscapes. The main highlights are the rock carvings at Backa, the Via Sacra between Backa and Immestad, Brastad Church, and the Kvarnebäcken Valley System. This allows you to experience different sides of the area: from very ancient motifs and Neo-Gothic architecture to species-rich pastureland.

Rock Carvings at Backa and Via Sacra

The rock carvings at Backa date from the Bronze Age and the earliest Iron Age, approximately from 1000 to 500 BC. In total, there are more than 30 individual depictions among the rock carvings at Backa in Brastad. Skomakaren, an almost two-metre-long human figure, is particularly well known. The Via Sacra follows the old village road between Backa and Immestad. Its name refers to the high density of rock carvings: Via Sacra means the sacred path of the rock carvings. The route starts at the Stångenäsvallen bus stop. From there, it is 1.3 kilometres to the smaller rock-carving area at Backa and a further 800 metres to the larger area. Along the route, the smaller rock-carving area is closer to Stångenäsvallen, while the larger area is another 800 metres away.

Brastad Church

Another distinctive building is Brastad Church. It was built in 1876–1877 to designs by Gustaf Dahl. Its design is inspired by the Middle Ages while also having a strongly Neo-Gothic character. Notable details include façades made of exposed granite and a patterned slate roof. Older architectural elements are also part of the church building's history. Two relief panels from the former medieval church in Brastad were moved to the base of the tower of the new church. Lysekil Parish invites visitors to visit Brastad Church. Thus, in addition to its exterior design, the building also has a tangible connection to the former church on the site.

Open Landscape at Kvarnebäcken

The Kvarnebäcken Valley System presents Brastad from its scenic side. The agricultural landscape in and around the valley system comprises an open, species-rich grazed valley landscape. This character continues north of Backa Farm: there is an open pasture landscape with undisturbed, species-rich vegetation. In places, the Kvarnebäcken Valley System contains well-maintained pastures with species-rich dry slopes surrounded by arable land. The landscape therefore alternates between pastures, dry slopes, and agriculturally used areas. Anyone wishing to experience not only cultural monuments but also the open character of an agricultural landscape will find several different points of interest in Brastad.

Further Orientation in Brastad

At Brastad Arena, there is an outdoor fitness facility at Sågvägen 15 in Brastad. Parking is available in the immediate vicinity. Bro (Bro) is another directly associated place included in the selection of local destinations. You can access the broader travel overview via Lysekil.

More travel destinations

More places within the same destination:

Torpet, Fiskebäckskil, Brodalen, Grundsund, Skalhamn.

To the broader travel overview: Lysekil.