Ripsa is a settlement and a former parish in the historical province of Södermanland in eastern Sweden. The small settlement has grown around the parish church and includes several buildings that once housed the functions of the local government. This area, bordering Lake Båven, is currently a part of Nyköping Municipality.
A Short History of Ripsa
This small village has been the center of the local parish since the Middle Ages. The first parish church was a wooden church built already in the 11th century. The current stone church replaced it already in the 12th century.
The parish survived until the Swedish municipal reform of 1862. This was when the parish was split between the local government of Rispa Municipality and the church congregation. The municipality was 1952 incorporated into Rönö Municipality and in 1971 it became a part of Nyköping Municipality. The old congregation is since 2002 a part of Rönö Congregation.
Things to Do and See
This is really the countryside of Södermanland. You might be more likely to spot a deer than another human being. The settlement might be small, but it is the surrounding countryside with lakes, fields, and forests that attract visitors. In addition to the people who want to visit a pink church.
Ripsa Church
Ripsa Church is a pink stone church dating back to the 12th century. It replaced an older wooden church that had been standing her for about a century. The church has seen several reconstructions over the centuries, with the church tower being added in 1609. It is today a part of Rönö Congregation within the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Sweden.
Vurstusbacken Nature Reserve
A short distance to the east of the church is the Vurstusbacken Nature Reserve. This is a reserve covering an area of around 11 hectares and it was established in 2007. The area is famous for its many big oaks and offers good possibilities to spend time out in nature.
How to Get to Ripsa
- Flights: The closest airport is Stockholm Skavsta Airport (NYO), only 29 kilometers away.
- Car: Ripsa is on countryside roads a bit north of Nyköping.
- Bus: There are no bus stops in Ripsa, the closest ones are at Baggetorp close to Sibro, a few kilometers away.
- Train: There is no train station here. Instead, the closest train stations are in nearby Flen, Gnesta, or Nyköping.
The driving distance from 5 major Swedish cities, according to Google Maps:
- Stockholm – 112 kilometers (1 h 30 min)
- Gothenburg – 399 kilometers (4 h 31 min)
- Malmö – 542 kilometers (5 h 56 min)
- Linköping – 129 kilometers (1 h 32 min)
- Kiruna – 1319 kilometers (16 h 26 min)
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