Discover Hölö: Castle history, churches and nature

Hölö offers a range of options for a trip focused on history and landscapes: the royal pleasure palace of Tullgarn, historic churches and natural areas. When planning your stay, it helps to distinguish between the palace and park, religious buildings and seasonal nature themes. This can help you decide whether cultural history or a walk outdoors should be the focus of your trip.

Tullgarn Palace and Park

The present-day Tullgarn Palace was built in the 1720s and has been a royal pleasure palace since the 1770s. Tours cover royal history, the history of the building and its preserved interiors. A walk through Tullgarn Park traces the garden’s development from the 17th to the 20th century. The free “Kungliga promenader” app provides themed information in the park about sculptures, buildings and periods in the park’s history. Lillhamnen is one stop along the walking route. The tour and walk offer different focuses: the palace tour covers history, architecture and interiors, while the walk focuses on the garden’s development and the themes of the grounds.

Nature around Tullgarn

Tullgarn Nature Reserve is one of the nature reserves in the Hölö-Mörkö area of the municipality. The Sörmlandsleden trail runs through the protected area and passes Tullgarn Palace. Many migratory birds rest in spring and autumn on a peninsula opposite Tullgarn Palace. The nature experience therefore combines a specific route with a seasonal aspect: the hiking trail runs through the protected area, while the birds stop there in spring and autumn. Grottberget lies south of Hölö in the surrounding area; boats can moor directly below the caves.

Hölö Church and Överhölö

Hölö Church stands on high ground on the eastern shore of Kyrksjön and is clearly visible in the landscape. It was built in 1793 next to a surviving medieval tower. For directions, a smaller road leads to the church from the larger road east of the area. There is a car park east of the cemetery.

The Överhölö church ruin, also known as S:a Lucia, was built in the 12th century and had already been abandoned by 1575. Only parts of the masonry remain. Outdoor services are occasionally held at the ruin, about once a year; check locally for the date in advance. The two church sites are therefore quite different: at Hölö Church, the surviving medieval tower and the 1793 building are the main features, while Överhölö is associated with the ruin, its long history and occasional services.

School history and the Cultural Centre

Kulturcentrum Hölö Kyrkskola is located close to Hölö Church. The Kulturcentrum’s school building served the local community as a school until 1972; the first school building at the current Kulturcentrum site was built in 1878. The Kulturcentrum offers courses and study groups in art, culture, history and crafts. This means the local cultural scene extends beyond architectural history to include these varied courses and study topics.

Discover more destinations: Järna, Södertälje, Mölnbo.

Return to the main travel guide: Södertälje.