Runmarö

Lat: N 59º 16' 47.67"
Long: E 18º 45' 38.30"

Runmarö lies at Nämdöfjärden, outside of Stavsnäs, just north of Nämdö. There are hundreds of islands and skerries in the archipelago surrounding the island. The main island is one of the largest in the middle archipelago and in the villages, which consist primarily of genuine traditional archipelago buildings, there are more than one hundred permanent residents.

Nature on the island is very beautiful with a unique flora. There are a total of 27 orchid species here, including lady's slipper and fly orchid. You can find unusual carnivorous plants at the lake Silverträsk, which has also given its name to a novel by Ausust Strindberg. You may also see the unusual and beautiful Apollo butterfly on Runmarö. Cycling is the recommended way to discover the inland areas of the island. Distances are fairly large. There are bicycles for rent from Runmarö Krog in Styrsvik on the western side.

Other sights include the Bosun's Croft from the 17^th century in Södersunda on the southwestern side of the island and the handicraft cottage with archipelago arts and crafts in "Svängen", near Styrsvik. In the homestead in Uppeby in the centre of the island, films are shown once a week during the summer.

The proximity of the sea offers many opportunities for visitors. You can swim and fish, go on an exciting diving course or rent a canoe. Runmarö is a perfect starting point for canoeing towards the outer skerries because of its archipelago. Tvärs över Nämdöfjärdens smalaste del utanför Stavsnäs, strax norr om Nämdö ligger Runmarö med ett hundratal öar och skär i sin omgivande arkipelag. Huvudön är en av mellanskärgårdens största och i byarna med till stor del genuin skärgårdsbebyggelse bor det idag drygt 250 invånare året runt.

How to get there
Communications are excellent all year round. Waxholmsbolaget have a scheduled service from Stavsnäs Vinterhamn as do other ferry companies. Buses number 433 or 434 go to Stavsnäs from Slussen. The journey time is about 50 minutes. If you want to get further out to one of the smaller islands, you can take a taxi boat from Stavsnäs or Runmarö.

If you have your own boat, you can anchor in Norrviken at Storön, where Svenska Kryssarklubben (the Swedish Yachting Association) can also be found.

Accommodation
Runmarö Krog, tel 08-571 52870

Food
Alicia's Lanthandel (country store), also agent for Systembolaget (off-licence) and Apoteket (pharmacy), tel  08-571 52700
Runmarö Krog 08-571 52870
 
Guest Harbours
Styrsvik
Gatan
Långvik

Natural Harbours
Norrviken at Storön

Services & Information
Official Stockholm Archipelago guides, tel 08-571 52061
Svängens handel, tel 08-571 52610
Slöjdbod (crafts cottage), tel 08-571 52214
Cinema, tel 08-571 52214
Taxi boat, tel 08-571 50100
Taxi boat Sea Queen, tel 073-066 5900
Bicycle, canoe and boat rental through Runmarö Krog, tel 08-571 528 70

Bathing 
Near Södersunda and near Styrsvik

Nature
Nature on Runmarö is varied. In from the coast on the western side grow mainly coniferous trees while the central and southern areas have lush broadleaf woodland. The island has nine lakes. The most famous is Silverträsk, written about by Strindberg. The bedrock is rich in lime, which means that orchids occur in great numbers. There has been a limestone quarry here since the 13^th century.

History
The lakes of Runmarö were once sea inlets around which the first inhabitants made their homes during the Middle Ages. Fishing and piloting were profitable business for the islanders for many years and the villages on the island grew large. The island is mentioned in writings from the 13^th century, which tell that Magnus Ladulås gave the island to the Franciscan Order in Stockholm. The existence of limestone on the island was already important at that time and it was quarried and calcinated until the middle of the 17^th century. Limestone from here was used to build the castle Tre Kronor in Stockholm. The island has also played its part in the Swedish military history. From here Gustav II Adolf shipped out some of his fleet of 1400 men in 27 warships to Prussia to participate in the 30 Years War. As in so many other parts of the archipelago, the Russians ravaged the island in the attempt to invade Stockholm in 1719. Remains from that time, Russian ovens, i.e. fire boxes that were used for heat and cooking can still be seen today.

A sea passage used to run between Runmarö and Storön in the southwest but the rising of the land has made it too difficult to pass for boat traffic and in the 1950s Runmarö Canal and a bridge to Storön were built. 

Visit Skärgården
e-mail:  info@visitskargarden.se 
Telephone: 08-100 222