Ödeshög Municipality

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Ödeshög Municipality on Sweden's municipal map

Ödeshög is a Municipality in Östergötland County, in southeast Sweden. The municipality covers an area of 432.1 km². Of the total population of 5688, 2841 are male, and 2847 are female. The population density of the community is 13 inhabitants per km².

The coat of arms was created in 1972 at the time the modern municipalities of Sweden were created. It mainly represents the medieval monastery of Alvastra: An abacy staff, a rising moon (historically representing Virgin Mary), and a six-edged star (representing a higher deity).

[edit] Nature

A large part of the municipality borders to lake Vättern. There is a small boat port.

Two nature reserves are within municipal borders: Isberga with a distinguished steppe meadow flora [1], and Kråkeryd located on rocks above Vättern at 60 meters altitude. Kråkeryd has a geology rich on lime, and the uncultivated rocky terrain is the location for several unusual flowers and plants [2].

[edit] Sights

Within the borders of the municipalities lies the monastery of Alvastra. One of the world's most famous runestones, the Rök Runestone, is also situated within the municipal borders.

There are also other ancient remains: the two hillforts Borgberget and Hjässaborgen. Both are open for visits although not much remains, and both somewhat difficult to access. The municipality also contains gravefields, etc.

Besides the monastery of Alvastra, there are seven other notable churches, several of which have a medieval foundation. Noteworthy are: Rök Church from 1845 (outside which the Rök Runestone is standing), Stora Åby Church, from the 1750s, with several older artifacts (baptismal font, triptych); and Ödeshögs Church with a medieval foundation.