Points of Interest

The ice age has left its grand mark on the whole area. Wherever you look, you can see it. Every island, every rock is there because it could stand the pressure and eroding of that thick layer of ice. And every bay and channel is there because they couldn’t.

But there are also cultural marks. Although Saint Anna today is a solemn place with few inhabitants, it used to be an area very much alive with fishermen, miners and farmers. A couple of the old fishing villages are still populated and they are renowned for their idyllic charm. Get to know the culture of Saint Anna by visiting a few of these places.

Häradssskär
Häradsskär is known for its lighthouse. It used to be an old fishing hamlet and is situated in the outskirts of the archipelago, close to the open sea. Fishermen settled on this island since 1650 and many old houses are still there. It’s quite far to Häradsskär, but on the other hand it feels really great standing there in the wind with nothing between you and the open sea.
© Foto: www.kajak.nu

Missjö
This area is one of the most fragmented archipelagos that exist. Missjö is probably the place that best reflects the “soul of Saint Anna”. If you go to the old navigation-mark Kupa Klint, which lies on a hill far out in the archipelago, you’ll get a view that you’ll never forget as you’ll see hundreds of islands and skerries from above.

Fångö
On the South East of Fångö you will find the remains of a copper mine. It was in full production between 1820 and 1876 and has left us many old house foundations, piles of waste rock and water-filled pits.

Gubbön
Opposite the Fångö copper mine is Gubbön. With its 25 metres above sea level the island is a great viewing spot.

Harstena
Harstena is one of those places you hardly believe is for real when you see it. It is an old fishing village in the middle of the archipelago that is still populated. Red and white little houses scattered over the island and old boat houses welcomes you as you paddle in to the bay. There is a restaurant that serves typical “archipelago food“, a bakery, a kiosk and a smoke-house. Be sure to go there!

Aspöja
Aspöja is another idyllic village with cultral significance to Saint Anna. 43 people live here year-round and hardly any of the houses have been sold to summer guests. On the east side there is a jetty where you can find a small café and buy smoked fish. On the northern tip of Aspöja is the Alnholm nature reserve. Here you can observe some unusual geological formations.