Kronoberg: Glass History, Cultural Heritage and Åsnen

At Åsnen, Kronoberg reveals its waterside and forested character; glass, storytelling traditions and industrial history offer further perspectives on the region. Nature experiences and cultural destinations sit side by side, so you can shape your stay around the themes that interest you most.

Åsnen: Landscape and Adventure

Åsnen National Park brings together broadleaf, mixed and swamp forests, moorland and the Husebyåsen ridge of glacial boulders, along with waterways, sandy beaches and sheltered bays filled with water lilies. Biodiversity is also part of the picture: the park is home to more than 100 plant and animal species that are protected, red-listed or threatened in Sweden. Hiking, cycling and paddling offer different ways to experience the landscape.

For a longer cycling trip, Åsnen Runt is a signposted, scenic route of around 140 kilometres. It connects the unspoilt nature of the Åsnen area and the national park with urban amenities. Alvesta is an easy-to-reach starting point for the route by train; check train connections before your trip and route conditions before setting off. Sydostleden offers another point of reference: Växjö is its northernmost point. Urshult lies at the southernmost point of Åsnen, the largest lake in Kronoberg.

Glass, Regional History and Storytelling Traditions

Smålands Museum is Sweden’s oldest provincial museum. Its permanent and temporary exhibitions present Kronoberg’s cultural history, looking at the past, present and future. Sveriges glasmuseum in Växjö focuses on a different subject: it traces the development of Swedish glass from the earliest times to contemporary Swedish studio glass, bringing together glass, glass art, history and culture. Together, the two museums offer a broad perspective on regional culture and the history of an important material.

At Sagomuseet, the heart of Sagobygden, stories and legends about trolls, Näcken and the forest woman come to life. You can explore them on your own or with a guide who tells the stories. Sagobygden’s music and storytelling festival takes place every year and began in 1990; dates and programme vary from year to year. If you would like to plan your trip around it, check the latest event details.

The House of Emigrants also explores a historical story: its exhibitions depict the great wave of emigration to America in the 19th and 20th centuries. At Kånna högar, meanwhile, you can encounter tangible traces of the past: there are 240 burial mounds, one stone cairn, 17 stone settings, two stone circles, an Iron Age dolmen and 30 standing stones to explore.

Historic Sites and Crafts

Huseby Bruk combines a manor house in the historic setting of an industrial works with a park, garden and restaurant. The entire site is protected as a historic monument. Visitors can enjoy guided tours, exhibitions and educational activities; seasonal programmes may vary. Huseby Bruk closes the season with the Nordic region’s largest Christmas fair. It lasts nine days in November, while dates and programme vary from year to year.

In Småland, Linné’s Råshult is a cultural reserve and the birthplace of Carl von Linné, who was born there in 1707. Paths lead through pastures and meadows, where you can experience historic farming methods and traditional plants. The site also offers a museum and guided tours, which may be available seasonally. A garden café serves a vegetarian buffet prepared mainly with organic ingredients; the café may also operate seasonally.

Another craft tradition lives on at Lessebo handpappersbruk: the works were granted the right to manufacture paper as early as 1719. Today, paper is still made from rags in a beautiful stone building dating from 1897. Visitors can often watch the papermaking process and buy paper in the shop; both may depend on opening hours. In this way, Kronoberg’s cultural history, tangible historic sites and insights into ongoing production complement one another.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Ljungby, Växjö, Alvesta, Älmhult, Uppvidinge, Hamneda, Lessebo, Kalvsvik, Tingsryd, Markaryd, Ryd, Knoxhult.

For the main travel overview: Sweden.