Övralid
The home of Nobel Prize laureate Verner von Heidenstam by Lake Vättern, open in summer with guided tours, a café in the Farfarstugan and walking trails.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
Övralid was the last home of the author and Nobel Prize laureate Verner von Heidenstam. Heidenstam was born in 1859 at Olshammar by Lake Vättern and broke through as an author with his debut book Vallfart och vandringsår in 1888. He became a national poet through his historical novels, among them Karolinerna and Folkungaträdet, was elected to the Swedish Academy in 1912 and received the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1916.
In 1923 he bought the farm Övralid and designed the house himself. It was to be a blend of a Swedish manor house, a Swedish bishop’s castle and an Italian villa. In September 1925 he moved in together with Kate Bang. Heidenstam died here on 20 May 1940 and is buried at Övralid.
In accordance with his will the Stiftelsen Övralid (Övralid Foundation) was formed, which looks after the property and keeps it open to the public. During the summer months guided tours are arranged, showing the home Heidenstam created and telling of his life and work. The foundation also awards the Övralid Prize every year on his birthday, 6 July, to a Swedish author or literary scholar. On the site there is also Café Farfarstugan, walking trails with views over Vättern and pastures with sheep.
Highlights
- Verner von Heidenstam’s home, designed by himself
- Guided tours of the author’s home
- Heidenstam’s grave on the site
- Café Farfarstugan with a view over Vättern
- Övralidsdagen (Övralid Day) and the Övralid Prize on 6 July
- Operated by
- Stiftelsen Övralid
Admission & discounts
| Adults | SEK 100 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | SEK 50Young people aged 13–17 |
| Children & teens | SEK 50Ages 13–17 pay SEK 50; no information is given for younger children. |
| Groups (16+ people) | SEK 90 per personPrice per person for groups of more than 15 people. |
50% discount with the Kulturarvskortet. Tickets and tours can be booked via Salver. Group bookings are made separately to Övralid and to Farfarstugan.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
The museum describes Övralid as a destination for the whole family, with walking trails, views over Vättern and sheep in the pastures.
Getting there & parking
By car
Parking available
Övralid lies by Lake Vättern near Nykyrka, outside Motala, and can be reached by car from Mariestad, Örebro, Norrköping and Jönköping in less than one and a half hours.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café
Café Farfarstugan serves light lunches and home-baked fika bread with a view over Vättern; open May–September.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | Visitors can join a guided tour or walk around at their own pace. The guides tell of Heidenstam’s life and work. Group bookings are made separately to Övralid and to Café Farfarstugan. |
