Alexander Hall

The World Heritage Site of 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, a beautiful landscape and a unique cultural area stretches. This area was included in 2000 on UNESCO's list of World Heritage Sites. The reason is that South 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 many thousands of years of influence of the people of Öland on the area, ever since the Stone Age.

World Heritage Weekend 4-6 September

Meet the fresh autumn air in one of Sweden's most fascinating landscapes.
On 4 - 6 September, several organizers join forces and carry out a weekend with extra many World Heritage activities. Take the opportunity to experience, taste and enjoy autumn in the World Heritage Site of Southern Öland's agricultural landscape!

Open churches, hikes, concerts, exhibitions and family activities are offered – there is something for everyone here and don't miss that Öländsguiderna offers guided tours where you get to experience the World Heritage Site from several different perspectives.

Alexander Hall

Successful human interaction

When you hear the word World Heritage Site, many people probably think of beautiful places or buildings that must be protected from human progress. With the Öland World Heritage Site, it is rather the opposite, here the interaction between man and nature must be protected and guaranteed. Take our beloved Great Elf, it would not exist in its present glory if man had not let the grazing animals shape it for millennia. Much of what on 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 Site of Southern Öland's agricultural landscape is a 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 cattle graze. It is thanks to them that this unique legacy 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 ancient times, the land was divided into what was called inland land and outlying land. The farms were closest to the villages and consisted of fields and meadows. The outlying lands, the alvar and the lakelands, were used as pastures. In connection with the transformation of agriculture in the 19th century, this division ceased on the mainland and elsewhere in Europe. The villages were divided and the farms were placed in the landscape, the outlying land ceased to be part of agriculture and was instead used for forest production. On Öland, the thin crust of the earth put an end to forest and the old division was retained. This means that today we can experience something as unique as a medieval agricultural 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 that exists on southern Öland.

Why should you experience a World Heritage Site?

World Heritage sites can tell us about both natural 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 you can discover in the World Heritage Site , among other things

1. Terraced villages

Explore Öland's townships. The villages were created according to the rules of the old Östgöta law from the 1200s. The plot width towards the village street was to correspond to how large a share each farm had in the village. The special thing about the Öland townships 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 fence walls to the straight shift walls from the 1800s. One of the real hidden gems of the alvar is the 30-metre-long and one-metre-high limestone wall called the Map Wall.

3. The Great Alvar

Hike on the vast alvar with its unique plant and animal life. Here you will find rare plants such as Öland sunflower and over 35 orchid species. Despite Öland's small size, 70% of all of Sweden's insects are found here, not least a completely unique butterfly fauna. Hiking in the World Heritage Site, hiking trail for children

4. The lakelands

Explore the lakelands, which are crucial nesting sites for waders and ducks. Southern Öland is a paradise for bird enthusiasts, especially during spring and autumn when the area becomes an important resting place for migratory birds. Don't miss Ottenby Bird Station, a favorite among birdwatchers. More about bird watching

5. Castles, burial grounds and churches

Explore Eketorp Castle, large burial grounds such as Gettlinge and some of Sweden's oldest churches. These remains tell us about 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