Småland & Blekinge
In the middle of the 18th century, German immigrants established the province of Småland, north of Skåne, as the home of the Swedish glass-making industry. The ‘kingdom of crystal’ forms only a small part of Småland, a very large province that is also a good holiday country with vast forests, pleasant lakes and winding lanes along which red cottages are dotted. In the province of Blekinge there are large oak forests and softer landscapes. This region has many coastal towns that stretch along the Baltic. The Mörrumsån River is noted for salmon and sea trout and Lake Vättern for char fishing. Boat trips are available to the island of Visingsö on Lake Vättern. High Chaparral is a reconstructed wild west town.
Three-quarters of the Swedish glassworks are found in the counties of Kalmar and Kronoberg. They are located off the beaten track surrounded by vast tracts of forest and attract many visitors each year. Each of the 16 glassworks are open to visitors Mon-Fri 0800-1500, where the craftspeople can be observed and top-quality products can be purchased. Visitors may also be invited to a hyttssill – a traditional evening of entertainment including food of fried herrings, sausages and potatoes baked around the glass furnace, served with beer and schnapps. Most of the works have their own shops.
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