Mirroring from: http://www.odata.se/hotel/friab/osteng.htm

Österlen - a taste of paradise

This page is also available in Swedish

During the 19th century, the term Österlen referred to the flat countryside east of Ystad and the villages along the road to Simrishamn. Today Österlen is comprised of the three härader [ i.e. historical administrative districts ] Ingelstad, Järrestad and Albo.

The open fields and hillsides

Borrby area	Preparing to sow

Most people of this area works in the public sector and with farming, fishing, fruit growing and connecting (related) industries. Enginering industy and tourism have been growing in the last years.
The geology in this area is intriguing, attracting scientists from many countries. Archean rock forms are exposed on the Linderöd ridge and in Stenshuvud National park. Sandstone is found around Simrishamn; black alum-shale, limestone, clay slate and chalk further inland.
Geologically, Österlen has much in common with continental Europe. The soil farmed today was originally brought here by the Baltic glaciers, coming from an area rich in limestone. This gave fertile fields without large stones. The best farming area in Sweden is found around Hammenhög. Further north, in Brösarp and Rörum, the powerful ice created dramatically beautiful gravel hills.
Österlen´s open landscape is not at all similar to the lake and castle district to the north of Ystad. Here, the farms are smaller and, in spite of modern farming methods, the atmosphere has maintained its oldfashioned character.Österlen, therefore, is of great cultural interest to the rest of Sweden.

Simrishamn has Österlen´s largest fishing fleet. The coastal waters are host to cod, salmon, herring and eel. Fishingvessels from Blekinge and Sweden´s west coast also bring their catches ashore in Simrishamn´s modern harbour. Skillinge and Kivik have smaller active fishing harbours. The other fishing villages such as Brantevik, Baskemölla, Vik and Vitemölla, offer very genuine atmospheres, but most boats there are used soley for private fishing and recreation.
The fruit growing industry has its center around Vik och Kivik, taking advantage of the east coast´s milder climate. A local winery produces sparkling drinks from both apples and imported grapes, offering winetasting tours in the Kronovall castle.

The coast and the fishing villages

Coastal trade	Sandhammaren	Gislövshammar

The southeastern coast offers wide sandy beaches lined with beatiful meadows; ideal for long walks and swimming. From the dunes and beaches of Sandhammaren, the sandy coastline turns to the northeast, continuing past Mälarhusen and Kyl, before turning to stony beaches near Skillinge. Alum shale meets the sea near the small fishing village of Gislövshammar; sandstone lines the shore at Grönet, south of Brantevik. To the north of Simrishamn, a unique coarse sand forms Tobisvik, the world´s only habitat for a certain microscopic crustean.
Grazing animals sculpt the seaside meadows near Tjörnedala, leaving wild orchids and other rare herbs in a breathtaking landscape which was already praised by Carl von Linné in the 18th Century. The silouette of Stenshuvud dominates the coast leading to Kivik. North of Vitemölla, towards Haväng, chalk-filled sand is host to many species of flowers. Here you can find St. Bernard´s Lily.
An ancient monument lies where the Verke river runs out into Hanö bay.

The Nature and The Animals

Roe Deer with Fawn	Tree frog

The south of Scania was once covered with deciduous forest. Nowadays, we only have areas with mostly planted beech forest, the finest example being Maglehems Ora, near Brösarp. Fauna and flora are more varied in the forests in Fyledalen, and the lake district north of Ystad.
The original Scanian Red Deer are numerous here; during the misty autumn evenings, you can hear the calls of the large stags. Fallow Deer and Roe Deer are also common, and even The Elk lives here. Escaped Wild Boars now live wild, along with the Red Fox population which has recovered after a battle with scabies.
Österlen lies in the center of the habitat of many frogs. The Green Tree Frog likes the small ponds surrounded by bushes and meadows. The Agile Frog and Spade Foot Toad also live here. The Green Toad prefers the ponds near the east coast.

Birdlife varies during the year. Of primary interest are the migratory flights during the spring and the autumn. Good observation points are Sandhammaren and Brantevik. Many Eider Goose, Brent-Goose and a variety of Ducks pass by together with the occasional tern. Divers and some Skua can bee seen now and then. In early summer, warm air usually comes in from southeast, attracting rare birds such as the Rosecoloured Starling , The Bee-Eater and the Roller, often seen at Grönet near Brantevik. The spiny bushes in Österlen´s open meadows are good breeding places for many song-birds, and both The Whooper and The Crane breed in the shallow pools hidden the forests.
The Red Kite has been concentrated around Tomelilla for many winters. Early spring, they spread out to nest in high beech trees. The Kite population has increased over the past years. Fyledalen is a wellknown observation area for birds of prey in the winter. Golden Eagles and Sea Eagles are hunting rabbits in the valleys while Buzzards and Kites wait their turn.

Culture and Art

Glimmingehus	Havängsdösen

Ales stone "ship" by Kåseberga, The Bredarör King´s Grave by Kivik and the anchient dolmen, Havängsdösen, are reminders of mankind´s history in Österlen. The 12th century churches and the medieval castles in Glimmingehus, in Glimmingehus, Örup och Bollerup are younger monuments from our history.
Österlen borders the sea towards the east and the south. This creates a special light over the landscape witch has always attracted artists. One of them, Prince Eugen from Sweden´s royal family, spent much time here painting the pastoral hills. Dag Hammarsköld had a little cottage where he withdraw from his UN duties to meditate. The poet Anders Österlind walked along the coast by Haväng, inspired by the wiews. Each Easter, Österlen becomes one enormous gallery,as artists open their homes and studios to thousands of visitors, searching for the latest masterpiece.

You are welcome to explore Österlen for yourselve. You won´t be disappointed

Friaborgsskolans Home Page