Gräsgård is a small settlement in the southeastern part of Öland, the second-largest island in Sweden. This was once, together with its church, the center of the local parish. It and its around 50 inhabitants, are, however, today a part of Mörbylånga Municipality in Kalmar County.
A Short History of Gräsgård
Gräsgård Parish had its origins in the Middle Ages and its church was built already in the 12th century. The parish acted as the local government until the Swedish Municipal Reform of 1862. This was when its responsibilities were split between the church congregation and the new civic government of Gräsgård Municipality. The municipality was in operation up until 1952 when it merged with the other nearby municipalities to establish Ottenby Municipality. It was, however, shortlived as it became a part of Mörbylånga Municipality in 1967. The church congregation is since 2002 a part of the Sydöland Congregation.
Things to Do and See
This small settlement consists of two farms and a number of one-family homes. At the center of these is the former parish church. This white stone church is the most prominent building and it towers above the nearby fields. Watching out over the fields, it is almost possible to see the shores towards the Baltic Sea in the near distance.
Gräsgård Church
The church here has its origins in the 12th century. It is believed that it replaces an smaller stave church from the century before. Not much is still left of the medieval church after the many alterations over the centuries. The current appearance was mostly established in the 19th century. The church is today a part of the Sydöland Congregation within the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Sweden.
How to Get to Gräsgård
- Flights: The nearest airport is Kalmar Öland Airport (KLR), which is 63 kilometers to the northwest.
- Car: Gräsgård is on countryside roads to the southeast of Mörbylånga.
- Bus: Buses from Kalmar Länstrafik connects Gräsgård with the surrounding area.
The driving distance from 5 major Swedish cities, according to Google Maps:
- Stockholm – 468 kilometers (5 h 20 min)
- Gothenburg – 396 kilometers (4 h 40 min)
- Malmö – 333 kilometers (3 h 50 min)
- Linköping – 282 kilometers (3 h 50 min)
- Kiruna – 1698 kilometers (18 h)
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