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  • Sverkerseken på Visingsö

Sverkerseken på Visingsö

The oak with a fascinating history

  • Oak tree
  • Free
  • Year 1167
  • Visingsö

The thousand year old oak tree on Visingsö

About one kilometer north of the Näs castle ruins stands a lone oak tree, steeped in history. Legend has it that this was the site where King Karl Sverkersson was murdered, and today it is known as Sverkerseken.

According to local lore, King Karl Sverkersson was murdered on Easter in 1167, on his way to Näs after attending the Maundy Thursday mass at Ströja Church (now Brahekyrkan). His body was reportedly tied to a thousand-year-old oak that stood here until the 1900s. The oak seen today was planted in 1956 by the Visingsö Local Heritage Association in memory of Karl Sverkersson.

The true story of King Karl Sverkersson’s death remains unknown. Author Jan Guillou offers a dramatic portrayal in his book The Road to Jerusalem:

"When the heavy oak gate in the wall of Näs opened, it was as if all the cold in their joints had vanished, and they were glowing with anticipation. They saw a man emerge with two men by his side. They watched the three walk toward the shore, very close to the spot where they themselves were standing. Arn made a movement as if to draw his bow, but the other three immediately stopped him.

In the faint dawn light, it was difficult to discern colors. But as the three men from the fortress passed by only a few steps away, it became clear that the one walking in front wore a red cloak and a golden cross that shimmered at his neck.

Knut Eriksson raised his hand in warning, ensuring no one acted before him, even though they all now understood that it was the king who had passed by. King Karl Sverkersson walked all the way down to the shore of Lake Vättern. There he stopped, bent down to the water, and took a handful to drink before sinking to his knees to give thanks for what would be the last time, that this water had saved his life yet another night.

There was no frost in the ground. Therefore, Knut Eriksson could step forward quickly as soon as the three at the shoreline had fallen to their knees without them hearing him approach. He immediately struck off the king’s head and then that of one of the two royal guards. But the other he did not kill."
(Excerpt from The Road to Jerusalem by Jan Guillou)

Visingsö

Take the ferry from Gränna to Visingsö, a gem in Lake Vättern with stunning nature and a rich history tied to the powerful Brahe family. Don’t miss Brahe Church, home to a wealth of artistic treasures. The island is easy to explore by bike or by horse-drawn carriage – remmalag. Here, you're close to nature and can meet alpacas, go horseback riding, or paddle a kayak.

Good to know

  • Barbecue/picnic area: Benches available near the oak
  • Toilet: Dry toilet at Näs beach
  • Accessibility: The oak is located right next to the paved main road and is visible from there
  • Parking: Limited roadside parking

How to get here

Sverkerseken is located on the southern part of Visingsö, about 6 km from the harbour. The oak is right next to the road leading to Näs Castle Ruins. It’s easy to reach by bike or car through the picturesque oak forest. You can bring your bike on the ferry or rent one in the harbor. In summer, the Visingsö Train passes by Sverkerseken, departing from Remmalaget in the Visingsö harbour.

Sverkerseken is located on the southern part of Visingsö, about 6 km from the harbour. The oak is right next to the road leading to Näs Castle Ruins. It’s easy to reach by bike or car through the picturesque oak forest. You can bring your bike on the ferry or rent one in the harbour. In summer, the Visingsö Train passes by Sverkerseken, departing from Remmalaget in the Visingsö harbour.

Bus 126 (ÖA-svängen) stops about 1 km from Sverkerseken at the Visingsö Näs. The bus runs according to a summer timetable and requires booking during other times of the year.

For timetable and tickets, visit jlt.se External link, opens in new window.

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