Want to experience authentic Swedish village life from 100 years ago? Look no further than Åsens By, Sweden’s first-ever cultural reserve that’ll transport you straight back to 1900!
Situated in the charming hamlet of Haurida in Småland, this isn’t your typical tourist trap – it’s a living, breathing time capsule that’ll blow your mind. Imagine walking through a village where horses still pull wagons, traditional crafts are alive and well, and you can actually sleep in century-old farmhouses. Sounds too good to be true? Well, buckle up because Åsens By is exactly that magical place you’ve been searching for.
What Makes Åsens By So Special?
This place became Sweden’s very first cultural reserve back in 2000, and it’s been protecting both the natural landscape and cultural treasures ever since. Unlike those reconstructed “historical villages” you find elsewhere, Åsens By wasn’t artificially created for tourism – it naturally grew since the 16th century with multiple families living in traditional wooden houses.
Here’s the kicker: the last resident, a woman named Tekla, passed away in 1989, and her house can still be visited today in almost its original condition. Talk about authentic! Tekla’s House is preserved exactly as she left it – no electricity, no water, just original interior and furniture from a bygone era.
Step Into Living History
In Åsens By, you can literally travel back to the year 1900 to see what life in the Småland countryside was like then. We’re talking about 17 buildings spread across 35 hectares, with fields, meadows, and pastures farmed using traditional methods.
The attention to detail is incredible. The gardens reflect their former owners’ personalities – Tekla’s garden bursts with fruit trees of varying varieties, while the Norrgården garden showcases beautiful flower beds rather than just practical food production. In spring, you’ll be greeted by a symphony of flowering cherry and apple trees mixed with cheerful daffodils.
Meet the Four-Legged Residents
This isn’t just about old buildings – it’s a working farm with some seriously cool animals! During summer, you’ll encounter endangered native Swedish breeds including Rödkulla cows, Gute sheep, Dala-fur sheep, Öland chickens, Linderöd pigs, Mellerud rabbits, and majestic Ardennes horses. These aren’t just for show – they’re part of an active conservation effort to preserve these rare breeds for future generations.
Kids can run freely among the old farmsteads, feed the animals, ride in horse-drawn wagons, or try their hand at traditional activities like carding wool. It’s like the ultimate outdoor classroom where learning happens naturally.
Activities That’ll Make Your Visit Unforgettable
Year-Round Adventures
Whether it’s horse-powered farming, traditional farm work, or historical household chores, there’s always something happening that connects you to the past. The village runs workshops on everything from wool working and folk dancing to traditional harvest techniques.
Seasonal Highlights
Summer Magic: Farm animals roam the village freely, and there’s a wide range of activities for both children and adults. The place truly comes alive with the sounds of rural life.
Winter Wonderland: Experience a traditional old-fashioned Christmas atmosphere with the Christmas market offering festive experiences in historic settings, complete with horse-drawn sleigh rides and warming rice porridge.
Explore the Surrounding Nature
Don’t miss the hiking trails! The village offers marked trails through areas where former inhabitants gathered firewood and grazed animals – now regrown into mixed forests with rare plant and animal species. You can stay overnight in Timmerstugorna (log cabins) with wood-burning heaters, or use the free wind shelters and fireplaces scattered throughout the area.
Where to Stay: Sleep Like It’s 1900
Here’s where things get really exciting – you can actually stay overnight in the village! The charming houses like the Parsonage, Lillstugan, Brygghuset, and Undantaget have been carefully renovated to preserve that old-fashioned feel while offering modern conveniences like electricity and water.
The village is completely car-free, giving children the freedom to play safely between houses, and pets are welcome in all cottages. How cool is that? It’s like having your own private historical playground.
Guest Reviews Speak Volumes:
- “Beautiful place and interesting culture very nice walks around the village with animals and interesting agricultural information”
- “Loved that we stayed in a historical village. That’s a unique experience! If you’re in Sweden, don’t pass on this experience.”
- “I like everything, really, and it is not exaggerating. The whole stay was like a travel back in time.”
Practical Info for Your Visit
Location: Åsens By is a hamlet in Aneby Municipality, Jönköping County, situated near Haurida.
Opening Hours:
- May-June: Reception & Farm shop daily 9 am – 4 pm, Café Friday-Sunday 11 am – 4 pm
- July-August: Reception & Farm shop daily 8 am – 5 pm, Café daily 11 am – 5 pm
Best Part? The reserve has free admission and is open year-round!
Getting There: While Google Maps might not be your best friend here, the hosts provide clear instructions that make finding the place much easier than relying on GPS.
Why Åsens By Should Be on Your Bucket List
This living history museum showcases 19th-century farm life in an immersive way that offers genuine insights into the region’s agricultural heritage. It’s not just a museum you walk through – it’s a place you experience with all your senses.
The beauty lies in its authenticity. The village was categorized as a unique monument from a bygone era during cultural monument inventories in the early 1990s, with only a few such places existing in Sweden. After lying dormant like Sleeping Beauty for years, careful restoration work brought the village back to life.
The Bottom Line
If you’re craving a genuine connection to Swedish cultural heritage, want to give your kids an educational adventure they’ll never forget, or simply need a break from the modern world, Åsens By delivers in spades. It’s like traveling back in time with small-scale farming and nature as your neighbor.
This isn’t just a day trip – it’s a journey into the heart of what made Sweden, Sweden. From feeding heritage breed animals to sleeping in centuries-old farmhouses, every moment here connects you to a simpler, more authentic way of life.
Ready to step back in time? Åsens By is waiting to welcome you with open arms and a fascinating glimpse into Sweden’s rural past. Trust us, this is one cultural experience you’ll be talking about for years to come! / Photo credit: Åsens by Sörgården
