Welcome to the countryside of the province of Södermanland. Ludgo is the center of a parish with a medieval church. Farmland and small forests surround it as far as the eye can see. Nearby is also the lake Ludgosjön and the castle-like manor of Trollesund. These lands are today part of Nyköping Municipality in the eastern part of Sweden.
A Short History of Ludgo
Ludgo Parish has its origins in the Middle Ages and its church is believed to have been built in the 12th century. The parish and its church were at the center of social and religious life in the area until the Swedish Municipal Reform of 1862. This was when its responsibilities were split between the new Ludgo Municipality and the church congregation. The municipality was in 1952 incorporated into Rönö Municipality, which in turn became a part of Nyköping Municipality in 1971. The church congregation is since 2002 a part of Rönö Congregation.
Things to Do and See
The parish had two large manors within its borders, Trollesund and Öster Malma. One of these is just next door. For once this is a parish where the church is not the most prominent building as Trollesund can be seen from the church and the road between them is lined by trees.
Ludgo Church
The original parts of the parish church are believed to have been built in the 12th century. Many alterations and additions to the original church have been made since. The latest major changes were done in the 1670s. Two local families have played an important role in the area and have their family burial vaults, or tombs, in the church. These are the families of Silfverstierna and Drakenheim. Silfverstierna was one of the noble families housing at what is today Trollesund Manor, at their time it was known as Ludgonäs. Drakenheim had their home at another castle in the parish, at Öster Malma.
The church is today a part of Rönö Congregation within the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Sweden.
The Uniform of Carl Wilhelm Drakenheim
Carl Wilhelm Drakenheim was born in 1699 at Öster Malma. He became an officer in the Swedish Army and was a part of King Karl XII’s campaign in Norway in 1718. He died in 1718 in Fredrikshald when the army was attacking the fortress of Fredriksten.
The uniform that Carl Wilhelm Drakenheim was wearing when he died has been saved. It is today in the church and it’s actually one of only three uniforms of its kind that has survived to this day.
How to Get to Ludgo
- Flights: The closest airport is Stockholm Skavsta Airport (NYO) which is 32 kilometers to the southwest.
- Car: Ludgo is on Road 223 between Björnlunda and Nyköping.
- Train: The nearest train stations are in Nyköping and Gnesta.
The driving distance from 5 major Swedish cities, according to Google Maps:
- Stockholm – 91 kilometers (1 h 8 min)
- Gothenburg – 397 kilometers (4 h 18 min)
- Malmö – 541 kilometers (5 h 41 min)
- Linköping – 130 kilometers (1 h 25 min)
- Kiruna – 1322 kilometers (14 h 32 min)
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