Bona at Bocksjön: Manor History and Horticultural Art

Bona lies on Bocksjön. The small lake covers an area of about 1.25 square kilometres, is part of the main catchment area of the Motala ström, and is drained by the Hällestadsån. This gives Bona a clear connection to the landscape: it lies beside a lake whose approximate size, catchment area and outflow are known.

Lake, hiking trail and cave

The Medevi–Krassbäck/Godegård section of the Östgötaleden trail runs right beside the Flädemo Nature Reserve. The Rösjögrottan cave lies east of Bona. Visitors can enter the cave bent over, stand upright inside and find a bench there. For orientation, it is helpful to distinguish between the entrance and the interior: you enter bent over, while inside you can stand upright and use a bench.

From manor estate to reformatory

Bona was originally a Frälsehemman, a noble manor estate. The farm avenues visible in Bona date from the time of Oskar Lundqvist. At the beginning of the 20th century, the state acquired Bona and converted the estate into a reformatory. The Bona reformatory opened in 1905 in several large buildings constructed to plans by David Lundhegårdh. The area's history therefore encompasses both its original manor character and its later institutional use.

In 1948, the Bona reformatory was converted into a hospital for men with intellectual disabilities and renamed Västra Ny sjukhus. The dates mark distinct phases: the reformatory opened in 1905, followed by its conversion and new name in 1948. The Bona reformatory is an important part of Swedish social and cultural history. Those interested in the area's past will find more than a single period of manor or architectural history here: the focus also includes the transformation of its institutions.

A historic transport route

The historic boat Bona is also part of the area's recorded history. It transported timber and iron on Lake Vättern and along the Göta Canal as far as England. The journey connected several waterways and reached a destination outside Sweden; timber and iron also remain a tangible part of this story as the goods it carried.

Horticultural art and fika

Visitors can experience flowering displays of horticultural art in the large greenhouses at Bona trädgård. Availability of this visitor experience may vary seasonally; check what is on offer during your travel dates in advance.

At Café Krukboden, cakes are baked daily during the spring and summer season. Guests can enjoy their fika on specially designed tableware made by local ceramic artists Barbro Nyblom and Jeanette Wallgren. The cakes are expressly a seasonal offering. Check the café's current opening period and offerings before your visit.

Discover more destinations: Borensberg, Nykyrka, Motala, Tjällmo.

Return to the main travel guide: Motala.