Discover Skepplanda’s Culture and Landscape

Skepplanda brings together religious art, archaeological traces and scenic landscapes. If you’re looking for a hotel for a trip to Skepplanda, these highlights help you get a sense of the destination: Skepplanda Church and the burial ground to its north offer insights into different cultural connections; pastureland, forest and waterfalls add to the picture of the landscape. The indoor swimming pool is another leisure option.

Church, Burial Ground and Landscape

The ceiling paintings in Skepplanda Church date from 1770 and were painted by Johan Burman. The year and artist place this work of art in a clear historical context. Skepplanda gravfält lies north of the church. With more than 60 graves, it is the largest burial ground in the Göta River Valley.

The burial ground stands on elevated ground and offers views over the Grönådalen valley. The use of the surrounding land also shapes this place: the area has been cultivated as pastureland for thousands of years and has a rich flora, including typical meadow and pasture plants. Archaeological traces and a long history of the landscape thus come together in the same place.

A walking path runs for a few hundred metres through the deciduous forest to the few graves located there at Skepplanda gravfält. The path offers a specific way into the site, while the elevated setting and views across the valley provide a different perspective. If you’re interested in both, you can explore the connections between cultural history and landscape here without separating the two.

Rock Carving and Routes

A ship carving can be found in the rock at Stugåsberget in Skepplanda. It is three metres long and 0.6 metres high. Another historic attraction is Vadbackabron: the old stone arch bridge is a symbol of the Starrkärr–Skepplanda route. Both details add different forms of cultural heritage to the church paintings and burial ground.

Stage 6 of the Skepplanda–Lödöse route starts at Skepplanda Church. To reach the starting point, take the train towards Älvängen station, then bus 434 to Skepplanda Albotorget, and continue to the church. Check the timetable before travelling. The stage therefore starts at a place shaped both by its ceiling paintings and by the burial ground to the north.

Nature and Leisure

Near Skepplanda is Iglekärr, which has a relatively old forest. Some of the pine and oak trees there are up to about 200 years old. Another natural attraction is the waterfalls in Forsån: they are particularly impressive when water levels are high. These details highlight different aspects—the old trees here, and the appearance of the water at high levels there.

Skepplanda simhall is an indoor swimming facility with a 25-metre pool and a sauna. Alongside the historic places and landscape features, it offers a specific leisure activity and facilities to consider when planning your trip.

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