the world heritage Southern Öland's agricultural landscape

The whole of southern Öland is a world heritage site. From Karlevi in ​​the west to Gårdby in the east and then all the way south stretches a wonderful landscape and a unique cultural area. In 2000, this area was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List. The reason is that Södra Öland's agricultural landscape is fundamentally different from other places on earth. Partly because the limestone bedrock, the mild climate and the island's geographical location have resulted in unique conditions for life on the island. But also because of the islanders' influence on the countryside for thousands of years, ever since the Stone Age.


world heritage weekend 13-15 September

 

Experience, taste and enjoy autumn in the world heritage Södra Öland's agricultural landscape! Feel the scent of Öland's nature while you wander through the test field at Stora alvaret, which is decorated with art. Hang the binoculars around your neck and look for birds and seals. Taste and enjoy Öland's produce in cafes, restaurants and farm shops. Just to name a few of all the experiences you have the opportunity to take part in during the World Heritage Weekends! 
 

Program for World Heritage Weekend

the successful interaction of man

When you hear the word world heritage, many probably think of beautiful places or buildings that must be protected from human progress. With the Öland world heritage, it is rather the opposite, here the interaction between man and nature must be protected and guaranteed. Take our beloved Great Elves, it wouldn't exist in its current glory if man hadn't allowed the grazing animals to shape it over millennia. Much of what in southern Öland can be experienced as nature's untouched beauty is in fact a successful interaction between man and nature.

a visit today benefits future generations

The world heritage Södra Öland's agricultural landscape is the result of previous generations of agriculture on the island. But at least as important are the efforts of those who today cultivate the land and let their livestock graze. It is thanks to them that this unique heritage can be passed on to future generations. But you can also contribute to this valuable work. By visiting the world heritage site and enjoying food and drink from southern Öland, you become part of this ongoing interaction between man and nature.

a modern agriculture with historical roots

Agriculture on Öland has always had to adapt to the island's very special conditions. But as part of Sweden, they have also followed the development. In olden times, the land was divided into what was called in-house land and out-of-the-way land. The fields were closest to the villages and consisted of fields and meadows. The outlands, the meadows and the lake lands, were used as pastures. In connection with the transformation of agriculture in the 1800th century, this division ceased on the mainland and elsewhere in Europe. The villages were shifted and the farms were placed out into the landscape, the outback ceased to be part of agriculture and was instead used for forest production. On Öland, the thin earth's crust put an end to forests and the old division was kept. This means that today we can experience something as unique as a medieval farming landscape that is cultivated with completely modern methods. It is also this combination with continued grazing that has preserved the unique plant and animal life found in southern Öland.

Learn more about World Heritage Södra Öland Cultivation Landscape


why should you experience a world heritage site?

World heritage sites can tell the story of both nature and human history. By protecting and preserving what is unique, we can learn from each other, no matter what time or place we come from.


6 tips on what, among other things, you can discover in the world heritage site 

1. row villages

Explore Öland's row villages. The villages were created according to the rules of the old Östgötalagen from the 1200th century. The plot width against the village street would correspond to how big a share each farm had in the village. The special thing about Öland's row villages is that several of them are intact and well preserved. Unlike in the rest of Sweden, the farms have never been moved out.
 

2. stone walls

Admire the ancient stone walls, from medieval half-timbered walls to the straight 1800th-century block walls. One of Alvar's true hidden gems is the 30-meter-long and one-meter-high limestone wall known as the Kartmuren. 
 

3. great seriousness

Hiking on the vast the seriousness with its unique plant and animal life. Here you can find rare plants such as ölandssolvände and over 35 species of orchids. Despite Öland's small size, 70% of all of Sweden's insects are found here, not least a completely unique butterfly fauna.  Walk in the world heritage, hiking trail for children

4. the lake lands

Explore the wetlands, which are crucial nesting grounds for waders and ducks. Southern Öland is a paradise for bird enthusiasts, especially in spring and autumn when the area becomes an important resting place for migratory birds. Don't miss out Ottenby bird station, a favorite among bird watchers. More about bird watching
 

5. Castles, graveyards and churches

Explore Eketorp castle, large burial grounds which Gettlingen and some of Sweden's oldest churches. These remains tell of Öland's rich history. 
 

6. windmills

Take a trip on a "mill safari" and visit some of the 350 remaining windmills on Öland. In the past, there were almost 2.000 mills here, which were indispensable for the farmers to grind grain with. Windmills