Kastlösa is a small locality in Mörbylånga Municipality in the western part of Öland, the second largest island in Sweden. The locality is home to around 220 inhabitants and was once the seat of the local parish. Just to the east is an area known as Stora Alvaret. This is a large area consisting of a limestone plain with only sparse vegetation.
A Short History of Kastlösa
Kastlösa Parish had its origins in the Middle Ages and its first church is believed to have been built in the 12th century. The medieval church was replaced in the 19th century when the new church was inaugurated in 1856. The parish was the center of religious and social life until the Swedish Municipal Reform of 1862. This was when its responsibilities were split between the church congregation and the new civic government of Kastlösa Municipality. The municipality became a part of Mörbylånga Municipality 90 years later in 1952. The church congregation is since 2002 a part of the Mörbylånga-Kastlösa Congregation.
Things to Do and See
Much of the settlement is on the main road through the area, Road 136. This includes most of the local services, including smaller shops. Otherwise, it is the parish church that is the most prominent building in the area, but maybe it is the nature of Stora Alvaret that is the most impressive.
Kastlösa Church
The white stone church dates to 1856. It replaced an older medieval church, parts of which is still a part of the new church. The church is today a part of the Mörbylånga-Kastlösa Congregation within the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Sweden.
Lilla Dalby Nature Reserve
Lilla Dalby is just to the east of the settlement. This is an area of alvar, as mentioned earlier a limestone plain. The nature reserve was established in 1992 and covers an area of 480 hectares.
How to Get to Kastlösa
- Flights: The nearest airport is Kalmar Öland Airport (KLR), which is 42 kilometers to the northwest.
- Car: Kastlösa is along Road 136 south of Mörbylånga.
- Bus: Buses from Kalmar Länstrafik connect Kastlösa with the surrounding area.
The driving distance from 5 major Swedish cities, according to Google Maps:
- Stockholm – 447 kilometers (5 h 10 min)
- Gothenburg – 374 kilometers (4 h 30 min)
- Malmö – 312 kilometers (3 h 40 min)
- Linköping – 271 kilometers (3 h 30 min)
- Kiruna – 1677 kilometers (17 h 50 min)
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