Kyrkhult combines the history of the former spa resort Tulseboda Brunn with cultural sites and hiking trails. When planning your visit, you can choose between different interests: architectural and local history, trails by the lake or a longer hiking stage. This lets you tailor your choices to the aspects of the town you’d like to explore.
Spa History and Culture at Tulseboda
Tulseboda Brunn was once a popular spa resort and played a major role in the development of the Kyrkhult region. Its restaurant building, constructed in 1894, is now Tulseboda Kulturhus. Tulseboda Brunn now serves as a cultural centre with a circus school, exhibitions and an event venue; operating details may change. Tulseboda Brunnspark is a historic visitor attraction in Kyrkhult. Around the main building are gravel paths and densely leafy trees; the park’s landscaping may change.
Kyrkhults Hembygdsmuseum also draws on the history of Tulseboda Brunn. It is housed in the former doctor’s villa, an outbuilding of the spa built in 1889. The museum site and the former restaurant building illustrate two different historical connections to Tulseboda: the doctor’s villa was an outbuilding, while the restaurant building is now used as a cultural centre.
Church, Art and Local History
Kyrkhults kyrka was consecrated in 1865 and is a large, three-aisled stone church. The altarpiece was painted on site in 1867 by regional artist Bengt Nordenberg. The cemetery also features, among other things, his two sculptures by Carl Eldh: “Ansgar blesses the North” and “After the Day’s Work.” The building’s design, paintings and sculptures offer different ways to explore Kyrkhult’s cultural history.
Another historic building is Fornebodastugan, a unique 19th-century high-loft building in Kyrkhult by Gårdssjön. Alma Gauffin built it after falling in love with Gårdssjön. This local story connects a specific building with the story of its builder and the lake.
Hiking Trails and Route Options
The 3.4-kilometre Fornebodaleden trail loops around Fornebodasjön in Kyrkhult. It starts in the beach park at Tulseboda Brunnspark and links the cultural environments of Tulseboda Brunnspark and Forneboda Kulturbrunn. The route therefore combines hiking and cultural history without limiting both themes to the same attraction.
Kyrkhults motionsslinga is 2.5 kilometres long, lies on the edge of town and is described as a very easy hiking trail. A much longer option is the fourth stage of the Blekingeleden: it runs from Halens Camping to Tulseboda Brunnspark, is 20.5 kilometres long and takes 6–8 hours. The stage ends in Kyrkhult. For your day’s planning, this means a different time commitment from the two shorter routes.
The illuminated Kyrkhults running and exercise trail starts at Kyrkhult’s parking area and initially follows the western part of Södersjön. Along the way, it passes Tulseboda Brunnspark and Kyrkhults Hembygdsmuseum. This route is another option to consider if you’d like to include the park and museum in your plans.
Lakes and Other Activities
Södersjön bathing area is right next to Tulseboda Brunn and Brunnspark. At Gårdssjön, meanwhile, Fornebodastugan is at the heart of a story about a building and its location. The two lakes therefore feature in different contexts: Södersjön as a neighbouring bathing area beside a cultural site, and Gårdssjön as the setting for the story of Fornebodastugan.
Cirkusparken offers families activities such as juggling, acrobatics, tightrope balancing, trapeze tricks and climbing on fabric. The specific offerings may change. If you’re mainly interested in culture, the church, museum and Tulseboda Brunn offer different historical connections; if you’re looking to be active, the trails of varying lengths are the main attraction.
Discover more destinations: Vilshult, Jämshög, Olofström.
Return to the main travel overview: Olofström.
