Gullaskruv: Glass History and Cycling Routes

In Gullaskruv, the history of the glassworks and traces of the landscape connected to the railway take centre stage. The Glasbruksturen cycling route also passes through the town. When planning a trip, you can choose your own focus from industrial history, art glass, nature and cycling. The following topics offer practical starting points for choosing your destination and a suitable hotel.

The history of Gullaskruv’s glassworks

Gullaskruvs glasbruk was founded in 1893 by Count Axel Emil Lewenhaupt at Gullaskruvs säteri. The glassworks was probably completed in 1895, when window glass production began. In 1927, the glassworks resumed operations as a small glassworks. This sequence of events highlights different stages in the history of the local glass industry: its founding, the start of window glass production and its later reopening as a small glassworks.

The history of the estate extends beyond Gullaskruv, too. The two old wings of Gullaskruvs säteri have been at the Skansen open-air museum in Stockholm since 1936.

Glass, railways and landscape

The Gullaskruv industrial site lies along the railway line between Nybro and Sävsjöström. Immediately north of Gullaskruv, along the railway embankment, are the noteworthy “stensträngar”, or rows of stones. They date from the construction of the railway. There is also a wind shelter by the rows of stones. Along this railway embankment, you will find both traces of railway construction and a practical landmark for the cycling route.

Högelyckes odlingslandskap lies on the edge of Gullaskruv. It has been classified as an area of very high natural value, Class II. Alongside the industrial history, this landscape offers another focus for planning your trip: here, the classification of a local cultural landscape takes centre stage alongside the glassworks and railway traces.

Cycling on different routes

The Glasbruksturen passes through Gullaskruv. From here, you can cycle along the old section of Road 31, on the railway embankment, or on both routes. You can choose one type of route for your ride or combine both sections. The wind shelter by the rows of stones is on the railway embankment immediately north of Gullaskruv.

Another cycling route runs for 65 kilometres from Nybro to Åseda. It follows the old railway embankment, where trains once ran during the historic ironworking era. At regular intervals, the route passes the glass industry settlements of Orrefors, Gullaskruv, Målerås and Sävsjöström. Its length and route make it different from the Glasbruksturen options mentioned above. Check local route conditions before setting off.

Art glass and Hälleberga

The Carlos R. Pebaque Design gallery in Gullaskruv displays Carlos’s art glass. Carlos works with the CARA technique he developed: while glassblowing, he uses glass rods inside the glass to paint images into it. For those interested in art glass, both the works on display and Carlos’s distinctive, self-developed technique are highlights.

Hälleberga offers its own connections to church and local history. The church and cemetery stand on a hill above Maden, which stretches along the Vapenbäcksån. Peter Lorenz Sellergren’s grave is near the church entrance. Hälleberga hembygdsgård includes a preserved row of church stables dating from 1922; the local heritage association’s collections are kept at the hembygdsgård.

If you want to plan your trip around cultural history, art glass or cycling, you can use these different themes to help choose your destination. This lets you assess Gullaskruv in light of your own travel plans before looking for a hotel.

Discover more destinations: Orrefors, Nybro, Örsjö, Målerås, Kristvallabrunn, Alsterbro, Kulla, Kråksmåla

Back to the main travel overview: Nybro.