Holiday apartment in Lessebo – handmade paper, industrial heritage and lakes

Lessebo combines a vibrant craft tradition with largely preserved industrial heritage and a landscape in which lakes and historic trails are part of the local character. Lessebo Handpappersbruk received the rights to manufacture paper in 1719. The more than 300-year-old paper mill is still in commercial operation and is housed in a stone building dating from 1897. Lessebo Municipality is part of the Kingdom of Crystal.

Culture

Lessebo’s industrial past is particularly tangible: The town has largely preserved industrial heritage, including industrial and residential areas, and is considered one of the most valuable historic industrial environments in Kronoberg County. The historic buildings include Smedraden, with its planned residential houses from the early 19th century, built for the ironworks’ smiths. Djurhult is one of the few unchanged detached-house areas from the early 20th century.

At Lessebo Handpappersbruk, paper is made using traditional methods with Hollander beaters, moulds and deckles; each sheet is formed by hand. The paper mill offers guided tours and has a shop selling handmade paper. Lessebo Church, whose construction began in 1958 and which was inaugurated in 1960, contains a work of art created by the artist Susanna Arwin from handmade linen paper produced at Lessebo Handpappersbruk.

The ceiling paintings at Kulturhuset 51:an offer further insights into the town’s history: They depict scenes from Lessebo’s former industries and pastimes. The traditions also go back a long way: The maypole has been erected in the Intaget heritage park since 1904. Lessebo’s own Midsummer tradition, featuring a maypole decorated with paper wreaths, dates back to the late 19th century.

Nature and trails

A hiking trail about eight kilometres long runs around Lake Visjön, offering views of the lake and its islands. The Lessebo Kulturstig combines historical traces and exercise: Along the trail, 25 information boards describe events from times gone by. The Kulturstig is marked by white rings on the trees, is located near the centre of Lessebo and, at Lake Läen, recalls the former extraction of iron ore for the manufacture of tools. The Kulturstig bears witness to these activities. Parking is available at the power station, at Ekebacken or near Nyäng in the direction of Toragöl.

The water is also among the town’s specific attractions. Hägnaviken bathing area is located on Lake Läen, directly beside Ekebacken in Lessebo; it has a barbecue area and a wind shelter. At Lessebo bathing area, there is a bathing jetty, toilets and changing facilities. The KulTuren round trip conveys stories and history about the places along the route.

For maps, directions and historical information about the sights in Lessebo Municipality, Naturkartan provides a dedicated guide. Lessebo’s tourist information office is located in the contact centre at the municipal building in Lessebo. For travel to the area, the Kust-till-kust railway between Gothenburg and Kalmar stops at Lessebo station. Lessebo Handpappersbruk is located on Route 25 between Växjö and Kalmar.

More destinations: Hovmantorp, Lessebo, Skruv, Kosta. More places: Alvesta, Uppvidinge, Kalvsvik, Tingsryd.

To the overarching travel overview: Kronoberg.