Unique archipelago experience
We hop aboard the Lurö III at Ekenäs jetty and head out into the archipelago. This is just the start of a day trip packed with beautiful countryside, history and some fascinating encounters.
Text: Katarina Averås Photo: Øyvind Lund
The Lurö archipelago is made up of 250 islands. It's something of an undiscovered paradise. You can always find "your own" cliffs and natural harbours here.
We land at Stenstaka. The Luringen Youth Hostel is here, and Marianne and Sune Westerberg live in the house just behind it. They enjoy the company of visitors to the island in the light summer months. But in winter, they're completely alone.
"We live a fantastic life here," says Sune.
He points at the map, showing us the hiking trails on the island. We decide to aim for the Stångudden lighthouse, built in 1905. Our hike takes us through verdant forests, over meadows and along rocky beaches. Three beautiful kilometres to discover at our own pace.
A number of signs on Lurö indicate the way to Klosterruinen, the cloister ruins.
"But it was probably a church," explains Hans Olsson, an archaeologist from Värmland Museum, who led the dig. "We think construction of it began some time around the 11th century. But we also suspect it was later abandoned in the 14th century. When we last dug here, we found graves dating back to the latter part of the 13th century and the remains of buildings."
What makes these excavations even more exciting is that remains have now been found which can be dated to a lot later – and a lot earlier.
"We have the foundations of a building dating back to the 18th century – we can tell from the coins which we've found here."
He shows us a number of objects. Ceramics, a scraper, a cooking pit. Post holes from a really enormous building have also been excavated in an open field.
We enjoy a late lunch at Café Luröbryggan. Our "special platter" is filled with smoked whitefish, vegetables, potato salad and homemade bread.
After five hours on Lurö, it's time for us to board the Lurö III for home. Only half as many people are on the return leg of the journey. There's plenty of accommodation for hire, both at the Youth Hostel at Stenstaka and here at Luröbryggan in Basteviken.
