Bonnstan Skellefteå

Traveling from Västerbotten to Norrbotten County (Sweden)

Traveling along the E4 coast road, from Umeå to Luleå (click), the road is really pleasant especially in late spring - summer when snow and ice remain only a distant memory.

On one side of the road, you can see the Swedish coast lapped by the Gulf of Bothnia and on the other the inland forests and the ever closer polar circle. From this point of Sweden, little by little, we move from the county of Västerbotten to that of Norrbotten. And the border with Finland is, kilometer after kilometer, getting closer and closer.

They are lands of mines, timber and berries. Of Samian traditions and literature. The most important center of this part of Sweden remains Umeå (click).

Half a century ago it was an outpost of lumberjacks, soldiers and reindeer herders. He did not have a university and the population was that of the Olympic stadium in a late season match. In fifty years it has reinvented itself as a hi-tech and creative hub, rocked the hardcore musical avant-gardes of the straight edge, attracted investors and students.

Until the exploit a few years ago when it was one of the two European Capitals of Culture 2014. A slow-motion but incessant boom: today the residents have doubled and the cosmopolitan air can be breathed everywhere.

Continuing north, and after having traveled almost 140 kilometers, you come to Skellefteå (click).

Historically, the city has always been pervaded by a very strong religious ferment. In 1324, King Magnus Eriksson (click) issued an invitation intended for "all those who believed in Jesus Christ or wanted to convert" inviting them to move right here to this strip of Swedish land between the Skellefte and Ume rivers.

There were really many faithful who accepted the King's invitation, moving to this area even coming from very far away. The history of those lands, moreover, tells that, little by little, this region was populated and parishes sprouted up almost everywhere.

At the end of the eighteenth century, in this remote part of Northern Sweden, a large district was created that revolved around the local Church.

 

Bonnstan: One of the oldest parish settlements in Sweden

In the whole of Sweden, starting from the end of the eighteenth century, this religious ferment saw the birth of seventy-one parish villages out of nowhere. To date, eighteen of these have remained open to visitors. And a trace of that ancient religious fervor is still perceptible in Skellefteå and in all its surroundings.

The city, in fact, represents a lively electronic and IT hub and has gold and silver mines. Touristically it does not offer very much. Yet about fifteen minutes from its center lies one of the eighteen most interesting Swedish parish villages that are absolutely worth a visit.

We are in Bonnstan: a small village, which dates back to the 18th century and was built precisely to house pilgrims.

The settlement, still today is an open-air museum (click to see a nice video), and presents itself to the visitor's eyes with its old houses made with really dated but not at all dilapidated trunks and wooden window frames.

The houses of this settlement are almost 400 and are arranged along two strictly ordered avenues in five rows forming what in these parts they call the Kyrkstad (literally: "parish village").

The village develops around the "Landskyrka" that is a neoclassical church, which leaves you impressive only for its size and its large domed roof supported by four pillars along its load-bearing walls.

Inside, there are still numerous medieval sculptures inside the church. Among these, the oldest remains a hazelnut wood engraving, which historians estimate to be dating back to the medieval period, and represents the Virgin of Skellefteå.

These houses, dating back to a distant time, are still used for private use. The locals, in fact, use them mainly in the summer months.

The entire settlement of Bonnstan is currently protected by local law. Any modernization, including the connection of the power line, is strictly prohibited, making this village even more authentic.

Near the village, on the Skelelefte river, there is a small islet (Kyrkholmen), which can be accessed via a small bridge.

Especially in summer, the locals love to spend their free time here. There is also a small café on the islet. It is said that it deserves a fleeting visit to try the delicious soufflé of cloudberry jam which, according to many, remains a real sin of gluttony!

Visit Skellefteå and surroundings

For more information about this area and all the possibilities for excursions on site, in all seasons, I refer you to the local tourist office in Skellefteå:

Email: [email protected]
Web: www.visitskelleftea.se

Map: Bonnstan Skellefteå