Blomsholm
Strömstad

Impressive grave fields and magnificent burial mounds, one of Sweden's biggest stone circles, and the country's third largest stone ship. A walking trail runs through the area, and there are information boards where you can learn more about what life and the local landscape were like during the Iron Age.

The Stone Ship (Stenskeppet) 

The massive stone ship on the grave field is the most known ancient monument at Blomsholm. It is the third biggest in Sweden with its 41 by 9 meters. The stones amidships are 1 meter high, while the ones in bow and stern are over 4 meters, making together 49 stones. 

When the stones for the ship were raised about 2,000 years ago, the ocean waves could crash against the ship. Where the route of E6 is located, merchant ships once sailed on their way between Oslo and Copenhagen. The monuments at the grave fields in Blomsholm were a symbol of power and wealth. From here many trade trips embarked and extensive trading activities took place. Many people lived in the area and in many respects it was a powerful center at the time. Blomsholm’s greatness ended some time during the seventh century. 

The Stone Circle (Domarringen)

This circle of big stones is unique in several ways in its elevated majesty. When all other stone circles in Sweden contain an odd number of stones, this one consists of 10 boulders around a center stone with the impressive diameter of 38 meters. What is this kind of stone circle then? The researchers of today agree it is a grave or rather a place for many often reused graves, so-called fire graves, where the dead were burned.

Workers' accommodation and café (Statarlängan)

The workers' accommodation from 1899 houses the exhibition 'Blomsholm – ancient remains and country house”. This is an exhibition about the history of Blomsholm and about the amazing pre-historic remains in its grounds. In the 18th century, when King Charles XII was at war with Norway, Blomsholm Country House was used as a field hospital. This house was until 1938 a residence of four apartments, each with a kitchen and a room, which housed four families. One of the apartments is authentically furnished and shows the standard of living a hundred years ago. 

A cozy café is found in the  carpenter’s shed where books and local crafts are sold.

Blomsholm Estate (Blomsholm säteri)

The estate was built in 1620 by Anders Blome, a northern German nobleman, at the time Bohuslän was a province of Norway. Over the years it has passed through many owners, often highly ranked militaries and officials and usually for a short time. The Swedish king Carl XIV Johan (1763-1844) used the estate as an accommodation while travelling around the great kingdom. The present owner-manager is GLG, a property company. The main building was rebuilt in 1710 after a fire and the two wings followed six years later. All buildings are newly renovated to high standards, which retain the style of an old manor (säteri). With the focus on raising pigs and grain production Blomsholm is the largest producer of its kind in the province. Due to veterinary regulations public access is prohibited to the animal stables and to the courtyard close by. Parking is available at the parking lot just north of the buildings.

The Forest of Catharina (Catharinaskogen)

The powerful woman Catharina Björnskjöld created a nature park on both sides of the stream facing the settlement in the
18th century. She planted noble deciduous trees, built a carp pond, stone bridges, and an open punch veranda, all connected with winding walkways. The ambition of the park was to create a natural living element in the amazing culture which Blomsholm constitutes.
The forest is today a protected ecosystem of 5 acres. It is preserved untouched with all its decaying trees, which are excellent homes for a diversity of mosses and lichens, as well as baby bugs which make a pantry for the birds. What may be perceived as neglected is in fact an intentional educational element, showing the natural ecology. This area should be seen as a complement to Ekoparken in Österröd, just outside Strömstad.
To be able to walk underneath the canopy of centuries-old trees on a summer day and listen to the rippling stream and birds’ songs, is a grace quietly to yearn for. We hope that many visitors will find the path to this soothing natural experience, just a stone’s throw from the roaring traffic.