Vastervik Attractions

The Cederflycht Poorhouse (Cederflychtska Fattighuset; by Carl Hårleman, ca. 1750) in Västervik led a contemporary historian to remark, "In Västervik the poor live better than the rich." Aspagården, the oldest house in the town, is now occupied by craftsmen's workshops.

In the Fiskaretorg (Fishmarket) of Västervik visitors can sample the local fish specialties, and in nearby Batmansgränd can be seen a row of little red-painted seamen's houses recalling the days when Västervik was an important port.

10km/6mi south of Västervik is Lundsby (17th C.), an interesting market village (torgby) laid out round a central square.

North of Vimmerby, near the border between Småland and Östergötland, extends the Norra Kvill National Park - 27 hectares/ 67 acres of unspoiled natural woodland. In the park is Sweden's largest oak-tree, the "thousand-year-old oak", which has a girth of 14m/46ft.

St Gertrude's Church (15th C.) in Västervik has fine wall paintings and an altar by the Swedish Baroque master Burchard Precht (1651-1738).

Near Västervik's Fishmarket are the ruins of Stegeholm Castle (14th C.), which in recent years has been the scene of an annual song festival. Here too is the Slottsholmen summer restaurant. On Kulbacken, a hill from which there is a good view of the town, is the Provincial Museum (Tjustbygden Museum; local history and crafts, with a section on ships and seafaring).

3km/2mi east of the center of Västervik lies the Lysingsbad recreation area. One of the great attractions of Västervik is its girdle of skerries: the so-called "skerry garden" consists of some 5,000 islands and islets.