Naturum Sommen
Visitor centre on the island of Torpön in Lake Sommen, with an exhibition on the lake's nature and culture, an aquarium and guided tours during the summer season.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The idea of a naturum by Lake Sommen was raised in 1996 by an enthusiast who wanted to attract more visitors to the area and show off Torpön and the lake's surroundings. Over time more people joined in, and after a long process to obtain support for the project, Naturum Sommen was inaugurated on 15 June 2002. The Torpöns hembygdsförening (Torpön Local Heritage Society) owns the property.
The buildings resemble traditional boathouses and stand out over the water at Torpön's northern tip, with jetties around them. Since 2017 Ydre Municipality has been the principal of the operation. In 2022 the 20th anniversary was celebrated, and a rebuilt exhibition was inaugurated.
The exhibition is about the nature and culture of Lake Sommen past and present, with a large aquarium that shows some of the lake's fish, magnifying glasses for studying small water creatures, and information on animals, birds and cultural history. Naturum is one of Sweden's 32 naturum visitor centres and is open from the end of April to the middle or end of September, with guided tours and activities both indoors and outdoors.
Highlights
- A large aquarium with fish from Lake Sommen
- An exhibition on the lake's nature, animals, birds and cultural history
- Nature trails from the naturum
- Guided tours, a treasure walk and try-it activities for children
- Buildings like boathouses with jetties over the water
Permanent exhibition
- Utställningen om sjön Sommen – The exhibition tells of the nature, animals, birds and cultural history of Lake Sommen, and has a large aquarium with fish from the lake and magnifying glasses for studying small water creatures.
- Founded
- 2002
- Operated by
- Ydre kommun
Admission & discounts
| Groups | –School classes pay nothing for guided tours; prices for other groups are given on request. |
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Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
- Family tours & workshops
- Hands-on stations
Try-it activities such as fishing from the jetty, nature detectives, a nature olympiad and examining life at the water's edge (free, limited places, registration at reception). On Sundays there are crafts, games and books out for children.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Ramfall · 15 km
The nearest bus stop is in Ramfall, about 15 km from the naturum. Local transport can be booked with Östgötatrafiken on 0771-711020 no later than two hours before departure, from Österbymo, Asby, Ramfall or Tranås; the pick-up point is the Torpön ferry landing 1.
From the north (road 32) turn off at Boxholm towards Malexander and take the ferry across to Torpön; from the south (road 131) turn off towards Torpön at Ramfall. It is also possible to arrive by water at the naturum's jetty.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
A restaurant and ice cream café are nearby at the Torpön ferry landing.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
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| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Guided tours for groups are booked via a form on the municipality's website or at naturum.sommen@ydre.se. During the season there are, among other things, daily fish feedings at 13:00 and a treasure walk. |
