Österhaninge brings together the art and burial history surrounding Österhaninge Church with Fredrika Bremer’s life at Årsta. A signposted cultural trail explores this history; archaeological sites nearby offer other historical perspectives. When planning your trip, it is worth distinguishing between the themes directly at the church, in Årsta and at the nearby sites.
Church Art and Local History
The Bielkenstiernska burial chapel at Österhaninge Church dates from the 1660s. In 1683, a large sculptural group honouring the Bielkenstierna family was installed in the chapel. The burial chapel and sculptural group give the church a distinct connection to art and family history. The dates mark two different historical reference points: the date of the burial chapel and the later installation of the group.
Fredrika Bremer is buried in the cemetery at Österhaninge Church. She was a writer as well as an advocate for peace and women’s rights, and lived from 1801 to 1865. Her grave adds a biographical thread to the church’s history. In terms of themes, church art and Bremer’s life therefore sit side by side, without telling the same story.
The area around the church is a gently rolling agricultural landscape of open fields and wooded heights. This landscape gives the church surroundings a different character from the historical associations of the burial chapel and sculptural group. There are also several runestones from the late 11th century around Österhaninge, often featuring cross motifs.
Fredrika Bremer at Årsta
Årsta slottsmuseum includes a museum floor in the castle. It provides information about the life of the Bremer family at Årsta. While the grave commemorates Fredrika Bremer as an individual, the museum floor focuses on her family’s life at Årsta. These different perspectives may be important when choosing a cultural itinerary.
For 2026, Haninge Municipality is not offering any open public tours at Årsta slottsmuseum; bookable tours may occasionally be available, however. If you would like to plan a tour, check in advance for available dates.
Fredrikaslingan and Time Outdoors
Fredrikaslingan is a signposted cultural trail near Årsta slott. On a walk, visitors can learn more about Fredrika Bremer’s life at Årsta and circle her beloved home. The trail is adapted for travel on wheels.
Another activity in Årsta is having a picnic in the English Park. A walk and a picnic are different ways to make your stay connected to Årsta. Which one you choose depends on whether you are more interested in the cultural trail or a break in the park.
Archaeological Sites Nearby
Three large information boards along a walking path in the eastern part of Jordbrogravfältet describe life in the Haninge region throughout prehistory. Thirteen smaller boards focus on the Early Iron Age, when Jordbrogravfältet became a major burial and ritual site. Together, the topics covered there span prehistory and a specific period of the Early Iron Age. The runestones from the late 11th century around Österhaninge offer a later point of reference.
Jordbrogravfältet borders Gullringskärret Nature Reserve. There are numerous bog areas and ferns around the Husbyån. There is also a signposted Stone Age settlement site east of Jordbrogravfältet and north of the nature reserve. These nearby places differ in both period and subject from the church art and the history of Bremer in Österhaninge and Årsta.
Getting to Österhaninge Church
Bus route 845 runs from Västerhaninge commuter rail station to the Österhaninge Church stop, and bus route 839 runs towards Dalarö. There is also a large car park at the church. If you are travelling by bus, check the timetable for your travel day before setting off.
Discover more destinations: Dalarö, Handen, Muskö, Haninge, Tungelsta, Utö, Ornö, Västerhaninge.
Go to the main travel overview: Haninge.
