Ljungbyholm: River Walk and Medieval Church

Ljungbyholm combines a riverside landscape with traces of regional history. If you’re looking for a hotel in Ljungbyholm, you can first consider whether a hike, medieval architectural history, or the town’s historical development will be the focus of your trip. The Ljungbyån walking trail, Prästgårdsängen nature reserve, and Ljungby Church offer different ways to explore these themes.

Hiking along the Ljungbyån

The Ljungbyån walking trail follows the main course of the Ljungbyån. Along the route are rapids as well as deep waters that flow more gently. Prästgårdsängen nature reserve lies along the route and within easy walking distance of Ljungbyholm. A walking path there follows the river through the reserve. Prästgårdsängen was established to preserve an ancient cultural landscape and for its value as a place for outdoor recreation. This distinction is useful when choosing a nature-focused outing: the trail follows the river, while the reserve is also explicitly intended to preserve the cultural landscape.

The Ljungbyån walking trail can be started at the football pitches in Biskopskogen, Ljungbyholm. The town bus towards Ljungbyholm stops at the trailhead by Hossmo E22. Check the timetable in advance if you plan to include this bus connection in your journey. A route description dated June 17, 2024, mentions connections at E22 and Binga that make it possible to reach the trail on foot from Kalmar.

Ljungby Church and local history

Ljungby Church stands in Ljungbyholm, just north of the Ljungbyån and southwest of Kalmar. It is the largest medieval rural church in Möre. Its oldest parts date from the 12th century; the church reached its present size in the 14th century. The span of time between its oldest building elements and its present size points to more than one construction phase and makes the church a subject in its own right, alongside the river route.

Ljungbyholm’s history also reaches back to the Stone Age. The Litorina Sea once extended into the area, enabling hunting, fishing, and transport links. In the late 19th century, Ljungbyholm became a railway station settlement. These widely separated points in time frame the town’s history: early use of the landscape on the one hand, and the town’s transformation into a railway station settlement on the other. The medieval church adds a tangible architectural history to this perspective.

Källängen and further perspectives

Källängen is part of the Ljungbyån walking trail and connects the route with traces of transport and local history. Until 1930, the old country road at Källängen was the main connection between Kalmar and Ljungbyholm. A well house has been preserved in Källängen; there were several well sites along the Ljungbyån in the 18th and 19th centuries. A millstone has also been preserved there as a remnant of Glysings mills. These details relate to different themes: the road represents the former connection between the towns, the well sites reflect earlier uses along the river, and the millstone recalls the history of milling.

In the Ljungbyholm area, the “Vattnets väsen” audio walk in Stensö or Krankelösaholm is aimed at everyone aged four and up. As app details may change, check the information in advance if you plan to include this activity in your itinerary.

Discover more destinations: Trekanten, Kalmar, Vassmolösa, Storafro, Hagby, Runsbäck, Påryd, Rockneby

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