Saint Brita's Chapel - Öland
Apr 10 2026
ten excursion gems

#4 northeast side

scenic harbors, historic chapels & species-rich meadows

  • Northeast Öland – coastal nature, culture and attractions
  • Kårehamn – charming fishing village with harbor, restaurants and sea views
  • Chapels and churches – historic sites in a natural environment
  • Lövängar – unique, open landscapes with rich plant and animal life 
  • Rich birdlife – popular area for birdwatching along the coast
  • Perfect for peaceful nature experiences
  • Combination of nature, cultural history and coastal life on Öland

1. Source old church

The church, which today is called Källa gamla kyrka or Källa ödekyrka, began to be built in the 1200th century and is today a well-preserved church ruin. Source old church is unusual because it was originally built in two floors for defense purposes. The ground floor was used as a church, on the second floor food was stored and on the top floor there were portholes for defense.

 

2. Source port

Källa hamn was Öland's most important port for trade from the 1600th century to the turn of the century 1900. The shipping of stone from Öland originally took place from Böda hamn and Källa hamn on the eastern side. When Sandvik's harbour, on the west coast, was built, Källa's harbor declined in importance. At the beginning of the 1900th century, it began to be used to a greater extent as a fishing port.

4. Southern meadows of deciduous trees

Södra Greda is one of the few hay meadows left on Öland. It is a popular place with rich floral splendor during spring and early summer. Among other things, orchids, sundews and mayflowers grow here. On a fine spring day, Evert Taube's words from the song Änglamark fit in well with Södra Greda's leafy meadows. Also follow the path out towards the lake grounds. Here are the remains of an extensive settlement from the Iron Age.

5. Kårehamn

Kårehamn is a quiet fishing port on the east coast of northern Öland. There is both a fish shop with an associated restaurant and a cozy swimming area. Near Kårehamn, a bit inland, lies Petgärde marsh - a nature reserve with rich bird life.

6. Kapelludden, Bredsättra

About four kilometers east of the village of Bredsättra lies Kapelludden – a place with strong historical roots. Kapelludden is a popular excursion destination with its fishing huts, ancient remains and rich birdlife.

St. Britta's/St. Birgitta's Chapel

The chapel, which is now a ruin, was built sometime during the 1200th century. It is not known which saint was the titular saint of the chapel from the beginning. One theory is that when Saint Birgitta died in Rome in 1373, her remains must have been brought ashore at Kapelludden and then traveled on to Vadstena. Saint Birgitta became the chapel's patron saint at the end of the 1400th century.

 

the stone cross

Between the chapel and the beach is a stone cross, roughly three meters high, with clover-shaped cross ends. There is a hole in one side of the center of the cross where a sacrificial pouch hung. The cross was probably erected at the same time as the chapel, in the 1200th century.

 

the lighthouse of the cape

At the far end of the headland is Kapelluddens lighthouse. The lighthouse was built in 1871-1872 according to drawings by AT Gellerstedt. The lighthouse is of the so-called "Heidenstam type", an open pillar tower made of iron, 32 meters high and with a lantern.

food & drink around the northeast side

In northeastern Öland there are several nice stops for food and coffee during the excursion. In Kårehamn you can eat by the harbor at Kårehamn Fisk & Havskök, and to the south you will find Ölandsgården and Himmelsberga offering both local flavors and genuine environments on the eastern side.

Across the island is Borgholm with a larger selection of restaurants and cafés. Here you can also buy something tasty to take home – perfect for a picnic, which we recommend as the view and surroundings on the eastern side are perfect for sitting down and enjoying.

 

walk on the northeast side

Högenäs Orde With a wonderful view of the sparkling Baltic Sea, the cape of Högenäs Orde is perfect for an excursion. Walk in the open pastures and enjoy the flowers and birds.

Djurstad swamp is known for its rich birdlife. A walk on a boardwalk through the swamp takes you to the birdwatching tower.

Petgärde Marsh is one of Öland's largest preserved wetland areas with rich plant and animal life. A walking trail leads through wetlands, alvars and tunnel-like vegetation, with trestles and sedges along the way. From the trail you can also take a detour to a birdwatching tower.

Högenäs's words

North Öland 3km

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Deep swamp

Central Öland

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Petgärde swamp

Northern Öland

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