Alböke is a small settlement in Öland, the second-largest island in Sweden. It is today a part of Borgholm Municipality in Kalmar County. This was, however, together with the church once the seat of the local parish. It is a rural part of Öland, with only a few one-family homes and farm buildings.
A Short History of Alböke
Alböke Parish had its origins in the Middle Ages and its first wooden church is believed to have been built in the 11th century and replaced by a stone church in the 12th century. The stone church was, however, demolished in 1861 and replaced by the current church which was completed in 1863.
The parish acted as the local government until the Swedish Municipal Reform of 1862. This was when its responsibilities were split between the new civic government of Alböke Municipality and the church congregation. The municipality was in 1952 incorporated into Köpingsvik Municipality. Köpingvik became a part of the town of Borgholm in 1869, which in 1971 was reformed and became Borgholm Municipality. The church congregation is since 2006 a part of the Föra-Alböke-Löt Congregation.
Things to Do and See
This is a small settlement with mostly farmland in its vicinity. The main attraction is the church and its runestone. A bit further north there is the Ormöga Camel Ranch for the ones interested in a smaller zoo.
Alböke Church
Construction of the stone church began in 1859 and it was inaugurated in 1863. It replaced the old medieval church and became the new center for the congregation. The church is since 2006 a part of the Föra-Alböke-Löt Congregation within the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Sweden.
Runestone Öl ATA4701/43
Along the church wall, there is a small runestone. It is 1.15 meters in height and is carved on limestone. Much of the runes have been eroded over time and only parts of the text are visible.
How to Get to Alböke
- Flights: The nearest airport is Kalmar Öland Airport (KLR), which is 54 kilometers to the southwest.
- Car: Alböke is on Road 136 just north of Borgholm.
- Bus: Buses from Kalmar Länstrafik connect Alböke with the surrounding area.
The driving distance from 5 major Swedish cities, according to Google Maps:
- Stockholm – 459 kilometers (5 h 10 min)
- Gothenburg – 387 kilometers (4 h 30 min)
- Malmö – 324 kilometers (3 h 40 min)
- Linköping – 273 kilometers (3 h 40 min)
- Kiruna – 1689 kilometers (17 h 40 min)
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