Discover Mellby: church, runestone and landscape

Mellby brings together a distinctive church, traces of an older church history and an 18-hole disc golf course around Mellbyvallen. It is also situated on a ridge, with expansive views east across the agricultural landscape towards the town. If you are looking for a holiday rental, you can plan your stay around whether you want to focus on architectural history, the landscape or a sporting activity.

The ridge, local character and roads

Mellby Church and the homes in Mellby are located on or along the edge of a ridge. The view east extends far across the open agricultural landscape towards the town. Most of the buildings are west of the church, on either side of the older road and Road 2636. This lets you experience the settlement’s layout and the open landscape as two distinct sides of Mellby.

The roads also provide clear bearings: Road 2636, which runs through Mellby, joins Road 44 to the northeast. At this junction, Road 2599 from Lovene also meets Road 44. To the west, the road runs through Mellby to Road 44, just east of Gillstad. If you are travelling by car, check the road conditions before setting off.

Mellby Church and its history

Mellby Church was built in 1879–1880 to designs by Oskar Eriksson. Its architecture stands out for its octagonal central plan and openwork lantern. The central plan arranges the building around a centre, while the lantern adds another distinctive architectural feature. For travellers who enjoy looking at architectural forms, the church offers specific details to observe rather than just a name on a map.

The church contains a 12th-century sandstone baptismal font. It therefore dates from a much earlier period than the building itself, which was constructed in 1879–1880. Comparing the medieval font with the present-day church offers a glimpse of two different historical layers in one place.

The present-day Mellby Church was preceded by a medieval church. The site of this predecessor was in the old cemetery, 200 metres to the northeast. This detail adds an older site of church history to the story without equating the former location with the present church building.

Runestone and disc golf

The runestone L1961:604 adds another trace of cultural history. Its inscription reads: “Gervar(?) raised the stone in memory of Toste(?), his son. Tora(?) brought the stone here.” The question marks indicate uncertain readings of the names; Gervar, Toste and Tora should therefore not be treated as confirmed names. In 1969, the stone was re-erected, repainted and turned so that the inscribed side faces south.

An 18-hole disc golf course runs around Mellbyvallen. It offers a sporting counterpoint to the church, the runestone and local history. If you are planning to play a round, check current fees and operating details in advance. When choosing a holiday rental in Mellby, the focus of your stay can help guide you: architecture and history on the one hand, an active round on the other.

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