On Kålland, Sunnersberg Church stands high on a hill, its tall, slender spire visible from far away. The church is about nine kilometres northwest of Lidköping. Its oldest parts date from the late 12th century, and it took on its present appearance in 1869. This distinctive building brings together origins reaching far back in time and a later architectural character.

The church and churchyard: history and art

The pulpit dates from the 17th century and was funded and donated in the 1670s by Count Magnus Gabriel De la Gardie. A surviving double lily stone is kept in the porch. The altarpiece depicts Christ’s body being carried by angels; it is probably a work by Anthonis van Dyck from the 1620s. The cemetery contains several older gravestones and a brick-built materials shed from 1746.

Pilgrimage route and cycling tour

The Kålland Pilgrim Trail runs from central Lidköping to Läckö on Kållandsö and passes, among other places, Sunnersberg Church. It is about 46 kilometres long, forms part of the Skaraborg Pilgrim Trail and is marked with the St. Olof’s Cross. On the Kållandsövägen tourist route, Sunnersberg Medieval Church is listed as stop 8. The pilgrimage route thus provides a longer connection with named endpoints, while Kållandsövägen lists the church as a numbered stop.

Historiska Kålland offers a different way to explore: this 34-kilometre cycling tour mostly follows smaller, lightly trafficked country roads. Its starting point at Lidköping Travel Centre is accessible by train or bus; check the current timetables when planning your journey. Further afield in the region, the tour passes through cultural heritage landscapes. Along the route, there are opportunities to take detours into nature and swim in Lake Vänern. Choosing between the pilgrimage route and Historiska Kålland therefore starts with the question of whether you want to travel on foot or by bike.

Mill history and regional discoveries

The history of milling is linked to the parish of Sunnersberg: in 1879, millwright Anders Bruto built Göte Riddaregården’s windmill for Janne Jansson at the Holma farm. The mill is a prominent landmark visible from far away along the road between Lidköping and Läckö Castle. Further afield in the region, you can see ten of the 18 Fröslunda shields at the Västergötland Museum.

At the Läckö Kött farm shop, Gårdsbutiken, locally produced goods from local suppliers are available alongside the shop’s own meat. The shop is located at Sunnersberg Backa 3, 53198 Lidköping.

Planning your stay

Kyrkskolan Sunnersberg is also relevant when planning your overnight stay: it has several sleeping places, toilets and showers. Check the availability of the sleeping places before your trip.

Discover more destinations: Sunnersberg, Tjörn, Herrljunga, Färgelanda, Dals-Ed, Ale, Töreboda, Orust

For the main travel overview: Västra Götaland.