Visingsö - Visingsö

Visingsö[1] is an island in Småland, i Jönköpings municipality in the southeastern part of Lake Vättern. On Visingsö live about 750 people all year round.

Regions

Cities

Visingsö has no cities. The largest resort is Tunnerstad with 300 inv.

Other destinations

Facts about Visingsö

Visingsö is Lake Vättern's largest island and is 14 km long and 3 km wide. To get to the island you can take a ferry from Gränna. Between Gränna and Visingsö it is 6 km, it takes about 25 minutes to get over to the island by ferry. About 70% of the land is arable.

History

According to legend, Visingsö was created when the giant Vist threw a grass hut in the middle of Lake Vättern over a thousand years ago.[2]

Locals

About 750 people live here all year round. During the high season, the island is filled with significantly more people.

Climate

Language

On Visingsö, a unique Swedish dialect is spoken, which is a mixture of Västgötland, Småland and Östgötland. In the past, the people on the island spoke the dialect in the landscape they had closest to and most often visited. Since then, the dialects have been mixed up. Today, however, the dialect is disappearing, in favor of "Swedish".

Getting to Visingsö

You can only get to Visingsö by ferry. Ferry traffic is driven by Technical office on Jönköpings municipality. Right now, two car ferries and a passenger boat are operating between Gränna and Visingsö. If vehicles are to be brought, a place should be booked before the trip. Booked car must be at the ferry at least 5 minutes before departure.

The times differ between winter and summer, for more info, see Visingsötrafiken.

Relocation in Visingsö

Roads are available, otherwise the flat landscape and the relatively calm traffic are excellent for cycling. Bicycle rental is available on the island.

To see

The oak forest

On the island you will find the famous Ekskogen, which is Sweden's straightest forest. The planting of the straight oaks would secure the supply of timber for the Swedish fleet, but even today there are many oaks left on the island. Today there are three hiking trails that go through the old oak forest.[3]

Kumlaby Church

Kumlaby church is a medieval church with 15th century paintings and a tower that you can climb up. At the top of the tower you get a wide view of Lake Vättern.[4]

Tempelgården

Tempelgården is an art garden with art and sculptures by the artist Olle Krantz. [5]

Persgården

Persgården is a farm and café on the southeastern part of the island, three kilometers from the harbor. Persgården sells organic food and produces its own requirements-marked muesli. There is also an art gallery on the farm.

Visingsborg in Näs

A ruin of Visingsborg located on the southern part of the island in Näs. To reach the ruin you can walk, cycle, drive or take the train. In the past, the king and his entourage often traveled to the castle for hunting, parties, and important meetings. The castle in Näs was destroyed around 1318 when it was taken by Smålanders in an uprising against King Birger.

To do

Tourney

During the summer, a tournament is arranged annually where disguised knights meet in battles on horseback. In connection with the games, you can go to the market and buy medieval-inspired objects.

Visingsötåget

There are many ways to get around the island, by bike, by horse, car or by train. The Visingsö train is running during the summer and travels from the harbor down to the island's southern cape in Näs. It is a popular way to get around and you have time to see a large part of the island. The trip takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes including a stop at Näs.

Remmalag

Remmalagen are Visingsö horse-drawn carriages that transport visitors around the island. The tours take place during the summer and have two regular tours where one goes up to Kumlaby and the other to Persgården. The Remmalagen appeared in the 19th century on Visingsö when the steamboat shipping companies began to make pleasure trips to Visingsö. The tours have no fixed times, but are canceled in connection with the arrival of the ferries.

Food and drinks

• Restaurant Framnäs[6] Serves 2-3 course menus and has a large outdoor terrace with barbecue evenings during the summer. Tel: 0390-56608
• Restaurant Solbacken[7] The restaurant at Visingsö harbor that serves organic food with a view of Lake Vättern and Gränna. Tel: 0390- 40029
• Talay Thai[8] Here you can eat Thai food in a Swedish environment. The restaurant is 1.5 km from the harbor and has outdoor seating in the garden. Tel: 076-0837239
• Strandgården's conference[9] is located below Visingsborg's castle ruins. Serves 3-course menu with i.a. crayfish cake and char fillet, as well as a 5-course menu with i.a. crayfish cake and skewers. In the wine cellar, wine tasting is arranged for up to 12 people. Address: 560 34 Visingsö, tel: 0390-40359, fax: 0390-40609
• Öbergs café & home bakery[10] was inaugurated in 1999, but has retained the 1920s and 1930s feel the café's predecessors had. Has closed for the winter, 2008 it opens May 1. Tel: 0390-40688

Security

Template: Security is good.