Enkel HTML-version
46
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www.lackokinnekulle.se
götene & kinnekulle
map p. 58–59
sights and excursions
Sights and Excursions
1
aranäs borgruin
(59-h1)
A knights helmet was found during the excava-
tion of this castle. When Birger Magnusson was
crowned at the age of ten, Torgils became his
guardian. Aranäs’s proud history ended with a
consuming fire. Torgils was cast into irons and
later decapitated in Stockholm.
2
falkängen
(58-e2)
A charming street with houses from the early
1900
s. In summer some
70
craftspeople are at
work in its studios and shops. There is a hostel
for overnight stays, conference rooms, a quaint
coffee shop and four museums. Open daily
10-18
1
st
May–
26
th
Aug.
www.falkangen.se
3
flyhovs hällristningar
(58-d6)
There are some
350
images carved
in the rocks here: human figures, ships, feet,
wheels and cavities. Of particular interest is
the “axe god”, a man with a large axe in his left
hand. Nearby is an iron age grave field.
4
forshems
gästgivaregård
(59-f3)
Probably Sweden’s oldest inn, visited by medi-
eval pilgrims en route to Forshem church. In
the
1500
s, it was known as Korsgården (Cross
Manor) but called a gästgivaregård (inn) since
1627
. Among others, Carolus Linnaeus and
August Strindberg have stayed here.
www.forshem.se
5
gum
(58-c6)
The site of a medieval manor at Järneklev,
a sandstone notch on the south side of Kin-
nekulle. Erikskrönikan, a chronicle written in the
early
14
th century, relates that on the occasion
of his wedding, the marshal of the realm, Torgils
Knutsson gave Gum manor to his wife.
6
hastings kyrka
(58-c4)
Not a church at all, but rather a place with an
unusual name that is redolent of England and
fuels speculation that this was the cradle of
Christianity in Sweden. Hastings kyrka is situat-
ed above the notch in Västerplana meadow and
offers wonderful views of Lake Vänern.
7
hellekis säteri
(58-d3)
Hellekis manor was established in the
1300
s.
Gustavian manor designed by palace architect
Olof Tempelman is considered the finest
18
th
century manor in Sweden. Gardens are lush
with old style rose buses. Enjoy summer dinning
at the Hellekis Trädgårdscafé & Kök.
www.hellekis.com
8
hjelmsäter
(58-c4)
The Hjelmsäter estate is from the
1300
s, and
the manor house is from the
1400
s when leased
by Queen Margareta. The corps-de-login was
built in the mid-
19
th century, while the wings
date from the
1700
s. One wing houses Inge-
borgs weaving studio and the other a large
annual autumn market.
9
husaby borgruin
(58-c6)
The bishop’s castle in Husaby not a traditional
castle, but rather a palace built in the
1480
s
by Bishop Brynolf Gerlachsson of Skara. After
escaping his capture by the militia he built an
extensive stronghold similar to Glimmingehus
in Skåne.
www.biskopsborgen.se
!0
husaby källa
(58-d6)
Royal and church records from the early
1200
s,
state Olov Skötkonung was baptised here.
Västergötland became the first Christian prov-
ince in Sweden and the base for many medieval
Swedish kings. In
2000
the Church of Sweden
celebrated a thousand years of Christianity at
this site.
!1
högehall
(58-c5)
Högehall is an approximate two-by-two meter
rest limestone slab in a field
800
m southeast of
Västerplana church. A fist-sized hole straight
through the middle of the rock has inspired
speculation that Högehall may have had an
astronomical function to similar ancient sites
abroad.
!2
kinnekulle utsiktstorn
(58-d3)
Kinnekulle’s highest peak covered by a
thick layer of diabase. Its highest point is
306
m
above sea level and
260
m above the surface
of Lake Vänern. Near the tower is a monument
from the SecondWorldWar. Open weekends
28
t
h
April-
30
t
h
Sep.
10-17
and alsoWeekdays
4
th
June-
19
th
Aug.
11-18.
!3
kinne-kleva
(58-d5)
As early as the
1700
s there were lime kilns in
Kinne-Kleva. During
WWII
oil was extracted
from alum shale, leaving open pits in the coun-
tryside. One of these old mines is now used as a
race track, the other is now a lake. Kinne-Kleva
has significant history, as is said at one time
to be a city.
!2