The E4 passes right to the east of Gränna and it´s a short way to the harbour and the ferry that takes you to Visingsö. The island offers a rich history, culture and fresh swims in Lake Vättern. A wide variety of local foods and handicrafts are available for anyone who wants to try a bite of ´The pearl of Vättern´. It´s a very popular place for sightseeing by bike in the summer.

Karl Sverkersson and a map of castle Näs on the south of Visingsö (drawn by marine archeologist Björn Dahrén).

Karl Sverkersson, king of what was to become Sweden, finished several building projects on Visingsö. Two of them were the castle of Näs and the church at Kumlaby.

In the 12th and 13th century the castle of Näs was the main home of the Swedish Kingdom.

In 1161 Karl Sverkersson killed the Danish prince Magnus Henriksson, who had been crowned king of Sweden in 1160, and became King Sverker.

The oak of Sverker

After Mass someone stabbed King Sverker outside Stigby when he was on his way home to the castle at Näs. They strung him up in an oak. The oak that grows at the site today is still called ’the oak of Sverker.’

Read more here at Visingsö Hembyggdsförening

Visingsö Harvest Festival

Please visit Visingsö Harvest festival (usually 2nd weekend in september). It´s absolutely the best opportunity to study the tobacco plantation and what else the farms and craftsmen on the island offers.