Jämshög brings together the town’s literary heritage and art with the nearby Halen Nature Reserve. The town is being developed as an international book town, with literature, encounters and activities to promote reading at its heart. The town’s history is another theme that can shape a stay. When looking for a hotel, consider what matters most to you: should your stay focus mainly on Jämshög’s literary themes, or include the trails in nearby Halen as well?

Literature in Jämshög

The library has a dedicated room named after the writer Sven Edvin Salje. It houses part of his private library, including books with dedications and calendars containing his own notes. The collection also includes various translations and editions of his books. Personal library items sit alongside different versions of his works.

Another literary trail leads to Hantverkaregatan. The 250-metre-long street is depicted in Sven Edvin Salje’s novel “Hantverkaregatan”, which takes readers back to his childhood in the 1920s. The street name, novel and childhood memory all come together in the same local setting.

The Jämshög Local History Museum presents the lives of Harry Martinson, the Nobel Prize in Literature laureate, and Sven Edvin Salje. Exhibitions on Jämshög’s history broaden the focus from the two writers to the town itself. Visitors to the book town can also explore a second-hand bookshop considered one of the largest in southern Sweden.

Art and Local History

Literary motifs also appear in public spaces. “Förspel” consists of two book pages, each two and a half metres high, shaped like a literary plough. The artwork is in the park between Läkarevillan and Hantverkaregatan. At the Jämshög roundabout, “Pennans makt” evokes the image of a blank page. In a figurative sense, it represents continuing to write the history of the area.

Jämshög’s centre has retained much of its character from the time when the town was the hub of an agricultural region. An audio guide to Jämshög Church was produced by the Diocese of Lund. Check whether the audio guide is available before visiting. Literary themes, public art and the town’s history thus offer different ways to explore the area.

Nature Areas and Trails

The nearby Halen Nature Reserve, with its forests and lakes, is within walking distance of the built-up areas of Olofström and Jämshög. The area has hiking trails, running routes and riding trails, as well as picnic spots and shelters. The nearest bus stops include Nebbebodagården, served by routes 561 and 635, and Jämshögs skola. Check current services when planning your journey.

Another nature option nearby is Ljungryda Nature Reserve. From Jämshög, take the bus to Östafors, then continue on foot for just under a kilometre. It is also worth checking current bus services before travelling.

For hiking enthusiasts, the meeting of two long-distance trails is another notable feature: the Blekingeleden meets the Skåneleden at Jämshög and Boafall, at the western end of Blekinge. The Olofström section of the Blekingeleden is approximately 40 kilometres long. Along this section, overnight stays in shelters are available at regular intervals. As well as the town’s literary themes, the surrounding area offers marked trails and various ways to spend time outdoors.

Discover more destinations: Vilshult, Kyrkhult, Olofström

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