Mönsterås is a locality along the Swedish Baltic Sea coast. It is in Kalmar County, in the historical province of Småland in southeastern Sweden. It is a former market town that today has a population of around 5,200 inhabitants. The population does, however, increase significantly during the summer months when many tourists and seasonal inhabitants are attracted to this coastal town and the surrounding area.
A Short History of Mönsterås
The first known written mention of Mönsterås dates back to the first half of the 14th century. This was at the time a church village and the seat of the local parish. The 16th century saw Mönsterås develop into a local market town and the meeting point for the local council. The trade was, however, still controlled by the merchants in nearby Kalmar.
Mönsterås was burnt down twice by Danish soldiers in the 17th century. The wars were followed by peace and reconstruction, as well as an aspiration for town privileges. The status as a town was, however, something that Mönsterås up until today has failed to achieve.
Things to Do and See
It is when walking along the main street – Storgatan – that Mönsterås feels like a small town. This is where you will find small shops and restaurants before it eventually leads you to the main square and the local church. The bay of the Baltic Sea almost reaches the center and it is this narrow body of water that is the easiest access to the sea. There are, however, several places in the surrounding area known for its coast. One of these is the peninsula of Oknö.
Hamnen
The local marina is the easiest access point to the Baltic Sea. Here you will find a great view out across the water as well as the possibility to see both small and a bit larger vessels. Nearby is also a larger playground as well as the local stopover spot for motorhomes.
Mönsterås Kyrka
The earliest church here is believed to have been a wooden church from the 12th century. The current stone church dates to 1847. It is a part of the Mönsterås Congregation within the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Sweden.
Stranda Hembygdsförening
Stranda hembygdsförening is the local heritage society. It was founded in 1925 and is running the local heritage museum. The museum includes both the pharmacy museum exhibiting a museum from the 19th century and Köpmansgården, a residential building that was moved here from the street Åsevadsgatan in 1976.
How to Get to Mönsterås
- Flights: The nearest large airport is Kalmar Öland Airport (KLR) to the south.
- Car: Mönsterås is along the Road E22 between Oskarshamn and Kalmar.
- Train: The local railway has no passenger traffic.
- Bus: Buses from Kalmar Länstrafik connect Mönsterås with the surrounding area.
The driving distance from 5 major Swedish cities, according to Google Maps:
- Stockholm – 368 kilometers (4 h)
- Gothenburg – 335 kilometers (4 h)
- Malmö – 317 kilometers (3 h 40 min)
- Linköping – 192 kilometers (2 h 30 min)
- Kiruna – 1598 kilometers (17 h 10 min)
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