Alunbruket, Öland – Exploring Sweden

Alum has been mined in Öland for centuries and Alunbruket along the western coast of the island was one of the island’s two manufacturing factories for the mineral. The area is today a part of Mörbylånga Municipality in Kalmar County. It is many times known as Södra Bruket, the “southern factory”, and includes the former company town of the factory, including the former workers’ residences where people still live today.

A Short History of Alunbruket

The alum factory here opened in 1804. There had earlier already been a factory in nearby Degerhamn. The produced alum was exported not only to the Swedish mainland but also across the Baltic Sea to what is today Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. Peak production was reached in the 1820s and the factory had at the time more than 300 workers, including more than 100 children under the age of 12. The factory was closed down in 1890.

Things to Do and See

The ruins of the old alum factory are the main sight, but there are more parts of the former company town to explore. The area includes many of the historical buildings that once housed both the workers and other functions around the factory.

Ölands Alunbruk

The ruins of the alum factory are the main sight here. The old chimney still stands as a tall tower and there are many passageways along the walls. This is considered to be one of the best-preserved industrial sites of its kind in Sweden.

Konstens Geologiska Trädgård

Near the ruins of the factory, up towards the hill, there is a small garden with what is called geological art. There are several stone formations and other stone sculptures to be found here.

Södra Brukets Väderkvarn

Watching out over the ruins of the old factory is an old windmill. It was earlier used to pump water and is today still an impressive sight.

Adolfshamn

Adolfshamn is a harbor that was established in the mid-19th century to supply the factory. It is today a small protected bay with a few fishing huts.

How to Get to Alunbruket

• Flights: The nearest airport is Kalmar Öland Airport (KLR), which is 55 kilometers to the northwest.
• Car: Alunbruket is on Road 136 south of Mörbylånga.
• Bus: Buses from Kalmar Länstrafik connect Alunbruket with the surrounding area.

The driving distance from 5 major Swedish cities, according to Google Maps:

• Stockholm – 460 kilometers (4 h 10 min)
• Gothenburg – 388 kilometers (4 h 40 min)
• Malmö – 325 kilometers (3 h 50 min)
• Linköping – 275 kilometers (3 h 40 min)
• Kiruna – 1691 kilometers (17 h 50 min)

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