Övedskloster, Naturreservat

The Övedskloster nature reserve is located in Vombsänkan on the north-eastern shore of Lake Vombsjön. In addition to swimming, there are good opportunities for hiking. The generous path system leads you through deciduous forests with coarse old oak and beech - so-called eternity trees - in what was once laid out as an English park around the castle. On the old railway embankment along the lake there is an easy path with nice views over the water.

Lake Vombsjön provides us with drinking water and refreshing baths

The Övedskloster nature reserve is located in Vombsänkan and borders Vombsjön. Vombsjön has been used as a drinking water source since 1948 and the water level in the lake has been regulated on several occasions. The old railway embankment built in the early 1900s has been built on and serves as an embankment of the lake. The waters of Lake Vombsjö are also appreciated by visitors who come to the fine sandy beach in the reserve.

Old castle environment in red Öved stone

The red sandstone in the area is called Övedssten. It has been used for both grinding stones and building materials. The entire Övedskloster castle building is made of this Öved stone. The castle was built in the rococo style in the second half of the 18th century, replacing a simpler manor house. At the same time, avenues and a landscape park were laid out according to the English model. Adolf Fredrik Barnekow was the architect who designed the park. Large old park trees and park paths such as "Rundan" remain from this time, although the park looks more like a forest today. Large parts of the nature reserve and the Natura 2000 area are part of the old park complex, which is of great cultural-historical value for the overall environment around the castle.

But the site has an older history than that. As early as the end of the 12th century, monks of the Premonstratensian order founded the monastery of Övith here. The state or 'crown' then became the owner of the property in connection with the Reformation in the 16th century. Since 1753, the estate has been owned by the Ramel family.

Old oaks with leatherback beetle

The forest consists largely of oak and beech forest. But there are also pine forests and flooded so-called floodplain forest. Several of the largest trees are still standing as "perpetual trees". The forest is rich in dead wood, both standing stumps and lying trunks, known as "flames". Together with dead branches in the old trees, the dead wood provides plenty of food and shelter for the area's insects, lichens and fungi. The old oaks in particular are appreciated by a large number of rare species. Examples of exclusive beetles that live in the old trees of Övedskloster include the leatherback beetle, the beech blossom beetle, the beech ox, the beech forest redstart and the mule beetle.

There are also many lichens and fungi in the area. Uncommon, so-called red-listed species, are the pincushion lichen, beech spring lichen and dwarf beech lichen. Among the fungi, there are rarities such as the lily of the valley, resinous tick, hedgehog mushroom, oxeye mushroom and coral mushroom.

Inhabited hollow trees and lush greenery

The forest is home to many birds that nest in hollows in the old trees, including wood pigeons, lesser spotted woodpeckers, starlings and sparrowhawks. They live together with about ten different species of bats. Some of them are the lesser horseshoe bat, the southern bat and the barbastelle. The ground is home to species such as wood anemone, yellow anemone, spring onion, red chickweed, small-leaved herb and wild garlic.

Outdoor life

The area is a popular destination for excursions. Both the shore of Lake Vombsjön and the wooded heights offer fine views and vistas. In the south there is a swimming area and barbecue area. Bring your own firewood or charcoal if you are going to barbecue and to take your rubbish home. In the eastern part is the Eket area, which is used for both midsummer celebrations and horse racing. The path system in the nature reserve is well developed and is used extensively by both hikers and exercisers. The path on the old embankment is flat and suitable for prams, walkers and wheelchairs. Otherwise, there are nature trails in a partly hilly terrain.

Funded by the European Union