Borghamns arbetslivsmuseum

About the museum

At the foot of Omberg, where Borghamn lies on Lake Vättern, limestone has been quarried since the 12th century. Stone from Borghamn was used, among other things, for Alvastra Abbey, Vadstena Castle, Karlsborg Fortress, the Nationalmuseum and the Göta Canal. In the 19th century the Göta Canal Company bought the quarry and built the harbour and several of the buildings that still stand.

From 1842 the site was a prison for the Kronoarbetskåren (Crown Labour Corps), and those who died there were buried at Bocka churchyard. In 1923 Borghamn’s rural household school started in the buildings, later known as Borghamnsskolan, which was closed in 1997. After that the area was a youth hostel until 2018.

The site is a listed building and since 2023 has been classified as a working-life museum. Since 2018 it has been owned by a family and is run as Borghamn Strand, with a hotel, youth hostel, harbour café and restaurant. Borghamns natur- och kulturförening (Borghamn Nature and Culture Association), formed in 2023, works to convey the history of the area to visitors.

Highlights

• 22 buildings, harbour and an old quarry in a listed site
• Guided tours through the working-life museum, 30 minutes or 1–1.5 hours
• Bocka churchyard and the dog graves at the entrance
• Harbour café and restaurant on Lake Vättern
• Location at the foot of Omberg next to the hiking trails

Permanent exhibition

• Arbetslivsmuseet Borghamn – The harbour, the quarry and the buildings tell of stone quarrying, the era of the Göta Canal Company, the Kronoarbetskåren and later school activities; the area is shown on guided tours.

Operated by

Borghamn Strand (privatägt) i samarbete med Borghamns natur- och kulturförening

Admission & discounts

Guided tours are tailored to requests. No fee is stated for visiting the site.

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

The pilgrim route St Birgitta Ways and the Signature trail Omberg pass through the area.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant

Harbour café and restaurant on the site; pre-booked dinners and breakfast.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events
• Weddings / ceremonies

Premises for conferences, weddings and parties on the site.

Plan your visit