Led till Trefalldighetsdalen

On the eastern edge of Sollefteå town is this small reserve. It consists of a deeply cut moist ravine on the south side of the Ångerman River. A path leads around the reserve and via it you can also reach the old health spring with iron-containing water.

In the lower part of the gorge there is an old health spring, Trefaldighetskällan. It is believed to have been used as a sacrificial spring since a very long time and for "drinking well". As it flows to the north, people drank to ward off plagues. Drinking from the well is a very old tradition that dates back to pre-Christian times. When Christianity was introduced to our country, the springs were also 'Christianized'.

In ancient folk tradition, Holy Trinity Sunday (the first Sunday after Pentecost) had a special significance. People would visit springs to drink from their waters for health and sickness. This custom of visiting springs at a certain time in early summer has been very popular in our country. In some places, it was on Midsummer Day that the spring drinking would take place. Both of these days have also been popular for baptisms.

In 1544, the cult of springs was banned, but the tradition was deeply rooted and never really stopped. It was revived in the 18th century but declined and ceased in many places in the early 20th century.