Photos from Runmarö island in mid-June..

Runmarö is one
larger islands in the Stockholm Archipelago.

Lat: N 59º 16' 47.67"
Long: E 18º 45' 38.30"

Runmarö lies at Nämdöfjärden, outside of Stavsnäs on the main land.

There are hundreds of islands and skerries in the archipelago surrounding the island. The main island is one of the largest in the middle archipelago and in the villages, which consist primarily of genuine traditional archipelago buildings, you will find more than one hundred permanent residents.

The island is mentioned in writings from the 13^th century, which tell that Magnus Ladulås gave the island to the Franciscan Order in Stockholm. The existence of limestone on the island was already important at that time and it was quarried and calcinated until the middle of the 17^th century. Limestone from here was used to build the castle Tre Kronor in Stockholm. The island has also played its part in the Swedish military history. From here Gustav II Adolf shipped out some of his fleet of 1400 men in 27 warships to Prussia to participate in the 30 Years War. As in so many other parts of the archipelago, the Russians ravaged the island in the attempt to invade Stockholm in 1719. Remains from that time, Russian ovens, i.e. fire boxes that were used for heat and cooking can still be seen today.
(Excerpts from Visit Skärgården. Click on link for more.)

Strange rockformations at Runmarö.

View towards the island of Sandhamn far away.
On Runmarö you will find plenty of deer, wild boars and some moose on the island.
Today I saw a few deer and only traces of moose and wild boars.
(I am happy to say!)

Almond blossom among reindeer lichen.

Cephalanthera longifolia - the very rare wild orchid

can be found in abundance on Runmarö island just off the mainland outside Stockholm.
In Swedish it is named "Svärdssysla" - in English I think it is called "Lady´s Slipper. "

Strange patterns in the rocks are reminders of the ice age here..

The lightning struck long time ago and the tree is trying to heal..

Excerpts from Värmdö Art Council , Runmarö Lighthouse:

"Runmarö’s main features are its delightful natural surroundings,
scenic walks and cycling routes. An abundance of
orchids, including the impressive lady’s slipper and the
more demure fly orchid, can be found on the island. Carnivorous
plants grow on the ground close to the enchanting
freshwater lake Silverträsk (Silver Swamp), about
which Swedish writer August Strindberg wrote a short story.
Runmarö has nine pristine freshwater lakes, which are
known by islanders as swamps (träsk), although this is
somewhat misleading.
Runmarö is one of the Archipelago’s larger islands and
has been inhabited by fishermen and pilots for centuries.
Runmarö has also attracted a number of writers and artists
over the centuries. Swedish dramatist and novelist
August Strindberg spent some of his summers here, and
other painters, photographers and poets followed in his
footsteps. The Swedish Writers’ Union owns a number of
cabins on the island that are made available to members.
So expect Runmarö to feature in the novels of the future...
The island also has a small privately-run museum, a 17th
century bosun smallholding cottage (Båtsmanstorp nr. 95)
which has been carefully restored. There are a number
of active shipyards on the island. The handicrafts centre
sells handicrafts typical of the Archipelago, local woodwork
and art. There is a weekly film screening in the
heritage community centre during the summer months.
Runmarö has scenic gravel tracks that are ideal for a leisurely
cycling holiday. The island also hosts tennis and
football camps during the summer. There are innumerable
opportunities for bathing and fishing along the island’s
coastline or in the fresh-water lakes. Runmarö serves as
an excellent base for kayaking in the Archipelago during
the spring, summer and autumn, as well as a great place
to start long-distance skating expeditions in the winter.
Winter fishing is also highly recommended, although be
sure to wrap up really warm!
A former limestone quarry provides evidence of Runmarö’s
past as a supplier of limestone to major construction undertakings
such as the former royal palace Tre Kronor (burned
down in the 17th century). A number of open-air brick
hearths, known as Russian ovens, provide evidence of the
attempted Russian invasion in 1719.
Keeping the
Archipelago Beautiful
The Stockholm Archipelago is around 2 billion years old and
encompasses about 24,000 islands, rocks and skerries. The
land is rising by 30-40 cm every 100 years, so the Archipelago
is growing day by day!
Nevertheless, the Stockholm Archipelago is truly unique in
the world. It is a sensitive environment and something we
need to protect, so that future generations can also enjoy
this special place.
Consequently, it is important that our stay in the Archipelago
considers the needs of nature, the environment and our
cultural heritage. It is the islands’ human visitors that have
to adapt.
If you pause for a moment’s thought, what you need to do
to protect the natural environment and cultural heritage on
these special islands becomes obvious.
If you do this, we won’t have to bore you with countless
regulations and pointers about not starting fires, especially
on exposed bedrock, dealing with your litter appropriately
and trying not to disturb other visitors. Just more one thing:
please do bear in mind that drinking water is in short
supply in the Archipelago.

(Info provided by: VÄRMDÖ ARTS COUNCIL, RUNMARÖ LIGHTHOUSE)