Gryt’s local folklore museum at Björkudden in Gryt.
Shows a variety of old things and buildings. Events.
Harstena
Harstena is known for the seal culling that used to be carried on in bygone times. Culling has been used since the earliest times both in Sweden and many other countries. Nowadays, it is prohibited in Sweden. Harstena has preserved the idyllic character of a hamlet in the outermost islands, with cottages gathered around the common grazing land. The hamlet is well worth seeing, but visitors should show respect for the people living there and avoid intruding too closely on their privacy. During the summer, Harstena is a very popular destination for leisure boats, and here you find restaurant, kiosk and bakery.
Ekön Nature Reserve
The area is classified as a nature reserve and is situated on a headland with superb view of the outer archipelago. To the north and south, the long shingle beach gives way to bathing cliffs polished by ice in prehistoric times. The recreation area of Ekön has a beauty that is almost unique.
Rambling trail and excellent sea bathing.
Bronze Age cairns at Dala
East of Dala Manor, on a spit of land and a small island, are eight bronze age cairns and a stone circle of a type unusual in Östergötland. Two of the cairns are very large and stand in a dominating position on the shore of the Baltic.
Gusums Bruksmuseum – Gusums Mässing – Glashyttan – Tractormuseum
Gusums Bruk in the parish of Ringarum was founded in the 17th century. Over the years, the metalworks came to play a dominating role in the local trade. The works were founded by a Dutchman, Henrik de Try, who manufactured cannons before concentrating on brass products.
Today the brass tradition is proudly carried on by Boliden Gususm AB. The production consists mainly of brass bar and copper tube. The famous brass candlesticks, which made a considerable contribution to Gusum’s reputation, began to be made at the end of the 19th century and were a great success.
However, the quality and artistry that Gusum sought to maintain led to increasing costs and it became all the more difficult to complete with the 1920s.
Other products that have made the Gusum name well known include zip fasteners and sewing needles. Much of the company’s history and earlier products can be seen in the museum, Bruksmuseet, which also has displays of handicrafted products in brass, such as fine candlesticks and candelabras.
Next to the museum is Gusums Mässing, which makes and sells handcrafted products in brass. Bruksmuseet and Gusums Mässing are located in Syntorp on the E22 entering Gusum. Here you also find a tractor museum.
Glashyttan, in the middle of Gusum, is where the internationally recognised glass designer Milan Vobruba has his studio.
Handicraft
You find locale handicraft in the area. The craftsmen often exhibit their products in several locations in Valdemarsvik during the summer.
Churches, Castles and Manors
The Church of Gryt is from 1798. The adjacent chapel contains a sacristy with medieval origins.
Valdemarsvik Church was built in 1877. The exterior is reminiscent of the Gothic style and the building has e beautiful, high position.
Gusum Church is the oldest church in the area. It was completed in 1731 and is a simple timber structure with separate bell tower.
Ringarun Church dates from 1777 and was built in gustavian style. It has been restored successively, the last time after a bad fire at the beginning of the century. The church has many interesting works of art, including a fine brass font from 1663 and candlesticks in various styles.
Tryserrum Church is also in gustavian style and was completed in 1785.
The Church at Östra Ed was severely damaged by fire in 1958, but later rebuilt. The spire is crowned with a pilot cutter, a symbol of the island parish and also of the role of the church in guiding people over seas of time.
Interesting manors include Fogelvik from 1795 and Hornsberg in Tryserum from 1844. Please note that both are private property.
Parts of the text is gathered from the brochure “Valdemarsvik”, published by Valdemarsvik Kommun.
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