Vanserum: Wetlands and Cultural Traces

Vanserum-Bäck Nature Reserve is located in Mittlandet, and the Mittlandsleden trail runs through the protected area. Another natural feature is the watercourse between Högsmossen and Kvarnmossen; cultural-historical themes include archaeological finds and the Malm settlement. If you are looking for a hotel for a stay in Vanserum, these different points of interest can help you choose your destination. Would you rather focus on wetlands and watercourses, or are you more interested in archaeological and architectural traces?

Watercourse and wetlands

The stream between Högsmossen and Kvarnmossen is winding and still carries water when other streams on Öland are usually dry. Åkerby källa rises in Högsmossen; from there, the water flows as a stream through the wetlands to Kvarnmossen in Vanserum. This makes it possible to follow its course from the source area through the wetlands to its named endpoint. The comparison with the streams on Öland that are usually dry makes this water flow a distinctive feature of the landscape. The source, stream and wetlands thus form a clear sequence that helps make sense of the water landscape.

The Mittlandsleden and trail conditions

The Mittlandsleden runs through Vanserum-Bäck Nature Reserve and is clearly marked in orange. In the wider surrounding area, the trail can be wet when it rains or after rain in the preceding days; in that case, rubber boots or sturdy hiking shoes are needed. Take rainfall on the day of your visit and in the preceding days into account when choosing footwear. The markings show the route, while the weather conditions raise a separate practical question: what equipment is needed in the wet conditions described.

Archaeological traces

Finds at the springs of Vanserum suggest that a sacrificial site existed there in prehistoric times. Immediately north of the stone cairn Kråkrör, on Vanserum’s land, there is a complex of five house foundations. Stenberger described this complex as one of the finest and most interesting on Öland. The two archaeological themes convey different kinds of information: the sacrificial site is a cautious interpretation of the finds, whereas the number of foundations and their location north of Kråkrör are specified concretely for the complex of house foundations.

The Malm settlement

The Malm settlement in Vanserum is large and consists of numerous buildings. These include huts and small-scale farm buildings constructed around the turn of the 20th century. Vanserum’s malm is designated on the Mittlandsleden as a well-preserved building from around 1900. The term settlement draws attention to the architectural ensemble; the building types mentioned represent different components of this group. The date adds context to the description of the building types, placing the huts and farm buildings approximately around the turn of the century.

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