Broakulla: Hiking, Glass Art and River History

Broakulla combines a river landscape shaped by cultural history with hiking trails and a rich history of glassmaking and industry. If you’re looking for a hotel for a trip to the area, you can choose your focus based on whether you’d mainly like to hike, view glass art, or discover traces of earlier work and settlement. The Stampadammen bathing area and various sports facilities complement these themes.

Hiking and River Landscapes

The Stampaleden trail runs through the Lyckebyå Valley, is approximately 7 km long, and starts and ends in Broakulla. Starting and finishing in the village makes it a clearly defined option if you’d like to include a hike in your stay. Small waterfalls along the river were once used to power mills, forges and stamp mills. This former use gives the river landscape an industrial connection, while the Stampaleden hiking trail offers its own perspective on Broakulla as it passes through the valley. Broakullafallet has a drop of 4.5 m and was used by Johansfors Elverk. You can also fish in Broakulla, amid a river landscape shaped by cultural history.

The Stampadammen bathing area on the Lyckebyån has changing rooms, toilets and a shower. You’ll also find picnic tables, a swing set and a barbecue grill. These facilities make it a convenient spot for travelers planning to spend time by the water and take a break outdoors.

Glass Art and Industrial History

Johansfors Gallery is located in Broakulla, on the southern edge of Glasriket, the Kingdom of Crystal. It is housed in a director’s villa built in 1891 by the first owner of Johansfors glassworks. The gallery specializes in work by British and Nordic artists who work with glass. A particular focus is engraved glass; it also exhibits work by the Guild of Glass Engravers. Here, a building connected to the history of Johansfors glassworks meets a clearly defined artistic focus.

Johansfors glassworks has operated in the area since 1891 and is considered one of the most important industrial sites in Emmaboda Municipality. Its building is an example of the large, integrated glassworks buildings constructed at many glass factories shortly after the Second World War. Nearby in Johansfors, Glasmåleriet is a community-run venue where local artists, craftspeople and food producers sell their products.

Traces of Earlier Settlements

The Broakulla Printing Museum is housed in the former Johansfors power station; you can look inside through the window. The landscape near Broakulladammen also preserves traces of earlier settlement: visible foundation remains of the former Broakulla farm can be found in the forest. The settlement existed until the 1940s. The path to the original Broakulla farm follows a route that has been in use since at least the early 19th century. Together, the foundation remains and the route’s long history offer a glimpse into how the area was used in the past.

More Ways to Stay Active

Broakulla has a hiking trail, a floodlit jogging track, a sports hall and a football pitch. There is also an asphalt tennis court on Fridhemsgatan, maintained by Johansfors IF. When planning your trip, you can choose whether you’d prefer to include a trail, a running track or a specific sports facility.

Discover more destinations: Hagby, Halltorp, Påryd, Rockneby, Ljungbyholm, Åstad, Vassmolösa, Föra.

For the broader travel overview: Kalmar.