Algutsrum is a locality in the western part of Öland, the second-largest island in Sweden. Today it lies within Mörbylånga Municipality in Kalmar County. This was, however, once the seat of the local parish and has the highest-located church on the island. The locality is home to around 870 inhabitants and is one of the first places many passes by after arriving on the island from the Öland Bridge.
A Short History of Algutsrum
Algutsrum Parish has its origins in the Middle Ages and it is believed that a simple stave church might have been built here already in the 11th century. There was a stone church from the 12th century that stood here until the 19th century. At that time it was mostly demolished to make room for a new larger church.
The church and its parish acted as the local government up until the Swedish Municipal Reform of 1862. This was when its responsibilities were split between the new civic government of Algutsrum Municipality and the church congregation. In 1952, the municipality was incorporated into Torslunda Municipality, which in turn became a part of Mörbylånga Municipality in 1974. The church congregation is since 2017 a part of the Glömminge-Algutsrum Congregation.
Things to Do and See
The locality is in the middle of farmland and the main road is right on its outskirt. It is the church that still stands in its center but the few smaller businesses are spread out with a smaller industrial area in the northern part.
Algutsrum Church
The old church was demolished in 1822 and the current church was built in its stead. It is a stone church that was completed in 1864. The church is since 2017 a part of the Glömminge-Algutsrum Congregation within the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Sweden.
How to Get to Algutsrum
- Flights: The nearest airport is Kalmar Öland Airport (KLR) 18 kilometers to the west.
- Car: Algutsrum is on Road 136 just north of Färjestaden.
- Bus: Buses from Kalmar Länstrafik connect Algutsrum with the surrounding area.
The driving distance from 5 major Swedish cities, according to Google Maps:
- Stockholm – 420 kilometers (4 h 30 min)
- Gothenburg – 351 kilometers (4 h)
- Malmö – 288 kilometers (3 h 10 min)
- Linköping – 238 kilometers (3 h 10 min)
- Kiruna – 1654 kilometers (17 h 20 min)
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