Räpplinge is a small settlement in the western part of Öland, the second largest island in Sweden. It is today home to around 160 inhabitants, but together with its church this was once the center of the local parish.
A Short History of Räpplinge
Räpplinge Parish has a history stretching back to the Middle Ages. Its stone church was inaugurated already in the 12th century and is believed to have replaced a former wooden church. The parish was at the center of social and religious life until the Swedish Municipal Reform of 1862. This was when the parish’s responsibilities were split between the church congregation and the new civic government of Räpplinge Municipality. The municipality was in 1952 incorporated into Gärdslösa Municipality, which in turn became a part of Borgholm Municipality in 1969. The church congregation is since 2006 a part of the Räpplinge-Högsrum Congregation.
Things to Do and See
It is easy to spot the main attraction in the area, as the church stands tall watching out over the countryside here in the western part of Öland. This is a rural part of Öland, with farmlands surrounding the small settlement. It is, however, not far to the town of Borgholm and the impressive ruin of Borgholm Castle.
Räpplinge Church
The white stone church stands at the center of the settlement. This medieval church was built in the 12th century and has since been the center of the local parish. The church has been damaged many times, especially during Sweden’s many wars in the 16th and 17th century. It has, however, survived and still stands with its many alterations over the centuries. It is today a part of the Räpplinge-Högsrum Congregation within the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Sweden.
How to Get to Räpplinge
- Flights: The nearest airport is Kalmar Öland Airport (KLR), which is 38 kilometers to the southwest.
- Car: Räpplinge is on countryside roads south of Borgholm.
The driving distance from 5 major Swedish cities, according to Google Maps:
- Stockholm – 442 kilometers (5 h)
- Gothenburg – 370 kilometers (4 h 20 min)
- Malmö – 307 kilometers (3 h 40 min)
- Linköping – 267 kilometers (3 h 20 min)
- Kiruna – 1673 kilometers (17 h 50 min)
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