At Tengene Church, a Romanesque baptismal font from the 12th century tells of medieval craftsmanship: a tree of life and animal figures are carved into the sandstone. A lily stone also dates from the same period. Some original parts of the church also date back to the early Middle Ages. Those seeking history in Grästorp encounter it not only in dates, but also in details like these at churches and historic sites.
Churches, Rune Stones and Rural History
Grästorp Church combines medieval elements with Neo-Romantic and Art Nouveau architecture. At Ås Church, a rune stone is built into the northeastern chancel wall; its inscription dates from the second half of the 11th century. Other rune stones can be found at several churches: outside the southern cemetery wall at Sal Church, and in the cemeteries of Särestad Bjärby Church and Flo Church. A standing stone also stands in the cemetery at Flo Church. A church has stood at the present site of this church since the Middle Ages.
The furnishings of Fridhem Church also bring different periods together: it has a bell from the mid-14th century, a large bell from 1772, and a baptismal font made from two sandstone bowls dating from the 12th century. Holkkvarnen adds a lively local history to this story of churches and art. The Åse och Viste Local Heritage Association moved the mill from Bransölet in Särestad to Marknadsberget in the 1920s; it was restored in 1950. It is one of the few mills today located outside Skansen.
At Särestad Rural Museum, visitors can explore rural life through more than 3,000 objects and tools. The exhibition covers, among other things, dairy processing, baking, butchering and crafts. One of its notable exhibits is an 18th-century sheep hut, described as the only one of its kind in Sweden. Platåbergens Geopark offers a broader perspective, showing the connections between geology, biology and cultural history; in 2022, it became Sweden’s first UNESCO Global Geopark.
Walks along the Nossan and Nature at Dättern
Two walks along the Nossan offer different distances and destinations. Forshall Walk is an approximately four-kilometre section of the Västgötaleden trail, following the river towards Forshall. Along the way, it passes a nature reserve with a wide variety of flowers and trees. Tengenepromenaden is about 3.3 kilometres long and follows the eastern bank of the Nossan to Tengene Church. It starts at the Ågatan–Ängsvägen junction near Johanneberg and has access points at Rönnvägen and Hallonvägen. Their approximate lengths and different destinations make the two routes easy to distinguish.
Nature watching here also offers different highlights: Dättern is a shallow, nutrient-rich bay connected to Vänern and Brandsfjorden via the Frugårdssund Canal. The area is important for migratory and nesting birds; a birdwatching tower stands in the nature reserve at Sjöryd. In spring, asp spawn in the Nossan near Forshall Nature Park. Birdlife and seasonal river life offer two distinct ways to enjoy nature.
Art, Culture and Activities
Lilla Konstgården displays works by Kristiina and other Swedish artists. There is also a short art walk through the surrounding forest, as well as the opportunity to work with watercolours and clay yourself at selected times. For a different view of the town, Grästorp Cultural Centre has a café and a library, and hosts free cultural evenings with talks, exhibitions and concerts. The programme at Grästorp Concert Hall includes films, theatre and concerts.
The Nossan Light Festival has been held annually in Grästorp since 2007. For one week, areas around the watercourse are illuminated; the programme described includes a troll forest for children, a spooky forest, and entertainment and music on several stages. Individual events may vary from one edition to the next. If you are planning to travel specifically for the festival, check the dates and programme for the relevant edition.
Activities and local produce are also part of the discoveries here. Lunnevibadet has pools for swimming and play, and offers swimming lessons and water aerobics; individual schedules may vary. Lilla Bergaparken is a family activity park in the centre of Grästorp where visitors can learn more about geology. Mäjens offers homemade ice cream, meringues, fine pastries, cakes and bread. The ice cream is made with locally produced ingredients and seasonal flavours.
Discover more destinations: Grästorp, Västerlanda, Partille, Karlsborg, Tidaholm, Tibro, Istorp, Lidköping.
Back to the regional travel guide: Västra Götaland.
