The island is tranquil and idyllic now, but it has a dramatic and violent history. Borgholm castle had an immense strategic role in controlling the important Kalmar sound where most of the marine traffic in the Baltic sea passed through. From the middle ages and a couple of hundred years on germans, danes and swedes fought to conquer the fortress, which was destroyed and rebuilt many times. Finally it burned down. Another impressive construction is the King’s wall in the south. In the 17th century the Swedish king Charles X had a strong wall built right across the the island to protect his royal hunting grounds from poachers.
Our journey starts in the main (and only) city of Borgholm, a picturesque little small-house town with wooden villas. The main square is dominated by a long and low building with a high tower. You might think it’s the city hall, but it’s actually a church.