Church art and industrial history offer two different ways to explore Edsbruk. Inaugurated in 1863, Västra Eds kyrka preserves medieval furnishings transferred from the former church in an interior that has remained largely intact; at Eds Bruk, ruins and historic industrial buildings tell a different story. Hiking trails, viewpoints and Lake Storsjön add to the cultural highlights.
Västra Eds kyrka and its medieval furnishings
Västra Eds kyrka is located by Lake Storsjön in Edsbruk. The ruins of its medieval predecessor stand directly beside the present-day church. The current building is designed in the Neo-Renaissance style, and its interior has remained largely intact. The building and its furnishings therefore bring together different historical layers.
The furnishings include a baptismal font made of Gotland limestone, dating from 1240, and a reliquary shrine depicting Saint Catherine of Alexandria, from the 15th century. Both pieces were transferred from the old church to the present one. The grave crosses at Västra Eds kyrka are believed to have been made at Eds Bruk, possibly by Walloons who came to Ed in the 17th century.
Industrial remains at Eds Bruk
The Eds Bruk ironworks was founded in 1670. The Eds Bruk paper mill operated from 1889 to 1991. The area of national cultural heritage interest H97 Uknadalen includes the industrial environment of Edsbruk, with remains of the older ironworks and the later pulp mill.
Gamlebruk consists of protected ruins of a blast furnace foundation and a forge at Eds Bruk. The old roasting house, located west of the mill, bears the date 1839 and is well preserved. These sites therefore differ in their state of preservation: protected ruins stand alongside a preserved historic building.
The industrial environment also includes the bridge over the outflow of Lake Storsjön at Edsbruk. Its pointed stone arch harmonizes with the surrounding industrial setting. In summer, Konst & Fika presents art exhibitions in the old watermill.
Hiking trails by Lake Storsjön
Edsbruk has a hiking trail by Lake Storsjön and several viewpoints. The Edsbruk-Xrundan is a loop of about 3.4 kilometers that runs clockwise. It starts at the information boards to the right of the grocery store and follows asphalt, gravel paths, grassy trails and wooden bridges.
Kyrkvägen is a 6.5-kilometer hiking trail between the village of Vråka and Edsbruk. It crosses the Edsån, whose water once powered the ironworks in Ed, and ends at the avenue leading to Edsbruk. In terms of length, the Edsbruk-Xrundan is the shorter loop at about 3.4 kilometers, while Kyrkvägen is 6.5 kilometers long. Groups can book knowledgeable guided tours along Kyrkvägen, with coffee breaks at Vråka or Helleberg.
Outside Edsbruk, the Hex wind shelter was inaugurated on the slope overlooking Lake Storsjön. Together with the hiking trail and viewpoints, it adds further landscape-related themes to the area’s cultural history for visitors to explore during their stay.
Discover more destinations: Totebo, Gamleby, Blackstad, Blankaholm, Överum, Gunnebo, Ankarsrum, Hjorted.
For the broader travel overview: Västervik.
