Out in the woods in the province of Södermanland is a white stone building. This is Torpesta Kvar, which is a well-preserved mill from the 19th century. The mill is close to the castle of Öster Malma in Nyköping Municipality in eastern Sweden. It lies between the lakes Fräkenkärret and Likstammen and was once powered by the water running from the first to the second of these lakes.
A Short History of Torpesta Kvarn
Early documents do tell of a mill at this location already in 1627. There should also have been a sawmill in the 1650s that was used during the construction of the castle at Öster Malma. The current mill was built in the 19th century and once also housed a miller and his family in a nearby homestead. The mill is in working condition after a renovation in the 1970s. In addition to the mill, there was a sawmill here previously. The sawmill was moved closer to Lake Likstammen in the early 20th century. In contrast to the mill, the sawmill was decommissioned and removed in the 1950s.
Things to Do and See
This is in many ways one single attraction. The mill is interesting but there is more to explore here. Hiking in the surrounding nature is one option that makes it possible to see some of what the area has to offer. When the woods and lakes have been explored, then there is always the nearby castle of Öster Malma.
Torpesta Kvarn
The mill is the main attraction in the area, at least when it comes to human construction. There is a small rest area right next to the mill and it is possible to explore the area around the mill. There is a path through the vegetation that leads visitors up to the dam, and it also makes it possible to almost walk a lap around the building.
Sörmlandsleden: Likstammen
Sörmlandsleden is a large number of hiking paths all over the province of Södermanland. Two of these are loop paths that start at Torpesta Kvarn. The long route is 12.5 kilometers long and the short one is 3.5 kilometers. They take you along the shores of Lake Likstammen and are a way to explore the nature of the area.
How to Get to Torpesta Kvarn
- Flights: The closest airport is Stockholm Skavsta Airport (NYO) which is 35 kilometers to the southwest.
- Car: Torpesta Kvarn is along countryside roads north of 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 – 398 kilometers (4 h 17 min)
- Malmö – 541 kilometers (5 h 43 min)
- Linköping – 130 kilometers (1 h 26 min)
- Kiruna – 1322 kilometers (14 h 32 min)
Explore More of Södermanland and Sweden
