Gladsax: Village Church, Medieval Traces and Rock Carvings

Gladsax is a church village, with buildings concentrated along both sides of the village street. The surrounding landscape is open, hilly and largely used for agriculture. The village setting thus brings together a concentrated settlement and an open landscape. When looking for a hotel in Gladsax, this distinction offers a starting point: village history, church art, prehistoric rock carvings and natural areas shape the themes of a stay.

Gladsax Church and its art

Gladsax Church was built in the Romanesque style with an apse and dates from the 12th century. Before the 15th century, its nave was extended to the west. The same building therefore shows both a Romanesque origin and a later extension. The wall paintings add another distinctive feature: they were created by the so-called Vittskövle Group and depict 17 scenes of the Creation and the Fall. The architecture and pictorial program offer different ways to explore the church. An online 360-degree view is available for a digital look inside.

Medieval Gladsaxehus and other traces

In the Middle Ages, Gladsax was a fief estate that was gifted to Queen Margaret during the time of the Kalmar Union. The estate was converted into the royal estate of Gladsaxe Hus and served as the residence of the feudal lord of Gladsax län. Today, only a ruin east of Gladsax Church remains of the former royal estate. Two different scales are important for understanding the site: the ruin area measures about 70 × 50 metres, while the central rectangular ruin measures 10.3 × 8.2 metres. The measurements therefore refer to the entire area and to its central ruin. Gladsax is also home to the remains of the 14th-century castle of Lady Ide. You can read more about Lady Ide and the history of Gladsaxehus in an app from the Österlen Museum.

Bronze Age rock carvings at Vilhelmsberg

Nearby, at Vilhelmsberg between Gladsax and Järrestad, there is a Bronze Age rock-carving site. Its motifs include a large male figure known as the “Dancer” and more than 200 soles of feet. These are commonly interpreted as the footprints of the gods. The motifs combine one individually named figure with a large number of similar depictions; the interpretation of the soles remains identified as the usual interpretation. For travellers interested in prehistoric rock art, this is a distinct cultural highlight.

Nature reserve and landscape

Gladsax hallar and Bäckhalladalen are part of a Natura 2000 area and are largely designated as nature reserves. Bäckhalladalen formerly served the surrounding villages as a shared area for grazing livestock outdoors. The nearby valley has walking loops, including a lit loop, as well as a large car park, toilets and barbecue areas. If you plan to use these facilities, check the latest information about them before your visit.

Bus travel

Buses run through Gladsax in the direction of Simrishamn and Gärsnäs. If you are planning to travel by bus, check the timetable for your travel date.

Discover more destinations: Gärsnäs, Brantevik, Skillinge, Vik, Vitaby, Simrishamn V, Borrby, Sankt Olof

Return to the main travel overview: Simrishamn.