A crossbow pointing towards Stockholm makes a striking statement in Vissefjärda: it stands on the Dacke stones beside the church and commemorates Nils Dacke. The church itself also tells a story spanning several periods. The stone church was consecrated on 28 February 1773; its altarpiece was painted by Pehr Hörberg in 1795. The bell frame in which the bells hang dates in its present form from the 19th century. Anyone interested in church art and local history will find several specific points of interest here.
The church, church stables and local history
The present Vissefjärda church stables were built in 1855 and had room for 200 horses. They house a local heritage museum with old everyday objects and household items used by people from more than 100 villages in the parish, many of them made by the people themselves. Another exhibition brings together old postcards from Vissefjärda, reflecting the period from 1900 onwards. In the church stables, you can encounter both objects from everyday life in the parish and images that show Vissefjärda from a different perspective.
Seasonal opening hours for the church stables are listed as 1 July to 9 August, Monday to Friday, 2–6 pm. Coffee service, museum visits and guided tours are also available; check the current visitor arrangements in advance. Since 1984, the Midsummer celebration has included amateur plays performed by local people and based on local historical events. A historic steam engine is also fired up at the annual celebration: its wheels turn and smoke rises from the chimney.
The history of the area goes back further. Finds of stone and flint tools near the Lyckebyån and its tributaries within Vissefjärda show that people have lived and worked here for thousands of years. In the Middle Ages, Vissefjärda was an important border region for trade with Denmark; the so-called Dacke Feud took place here in 1542–1543. The Vissefjärda Hembygdsförening offers a self-guided tour through Nils Dacke’s home region, with a map and places to visit. Check in advance whether the map is available for your visit.
Kyrkeby Bränneri and more to discover
Nearby, Kyrkeby Bränneri is located by the Lyckebyån. The distillery is considered Sweden’s best-preserved schnapps distillery and comprises 28 buildings, including a malt house, a building for the spirits cistern, a schnapps room, a potato cellar and a storehouse. In 2000, Kyrkeby Bränneri was declared a listed building in Kalmar County. Today, schnapps is made there from potatoes; guided tours are available, although visitor arrangements may vary by season. Since 2017, a historic steam engine has been put into operation each year to make schnapps from locally grown potatoes. Check in advance which visiting options apply to your date.
Kallmanstorpet also combines local history with a chance to take in the landscape: the property is set in attractive surroundings near Lake Törn and within reach of Vissefjärda. The Vissefjärda Hembygdsförening has acquired and restored a house with its furnishings, as well as a barn there. If you would prefer a sporting activity, Vissefjärda has the 18-hole Björketorpsbanan golf course and a short course by Kyrksjön. The municipal cycling network also includes routes in Vissefjärda; a dedicated cycling map for the area helps you find your way.
At Törestorps badplats on Lake Törn, there is a ramp into the water, an accessible toilet and shower, and tables for wheelchair users. The bathing area also has changing facilities, benches and tables, a swing set and a barbecue. If you are considering camping as an accommodation option, the facilities at Vissefjärda campsite were rebuilt in 2021; the campsite is open seasonally from 1 May to 30 September. Check the dates for the season before travelling.
Winter also changes the activities available. The ice rink at Vissefjärda school’s sports ground is maintained by Vissefjärda GIF; it is seasonal and depends on sufficiently cold winter conditions. When there is enough snow and with appropriate local maintenance, cross-country ski trails are also prepared in the Vissefjärda area using a snowmobile. This brings cultural history, golf, cycling, swimming and winter activities together for a range of interests, without requiring a fixed itinerary.
Discover more destinations: Vissefjärda, Västervik, Oskarshamn, Kalmar, Nybro, Mörbylånga, Borgholm, Mönsterås.
Go to the main travel overview: Kalmar.
