Käringön - an outpost
at the far end of the sea belt
Lat N58°06.802´, Long E011°21.986
West of Orust at the far end of the ocean inside Måseskär's lighthouse lies Käringön, one of Bohuslän's historic fishing villages. The grueling fishing has shaped the islanders for decades, whose behavior still gives the impression of calmness and confidence in their own strength. The first thing that meets you is the statue "Käringen", the characteristic landmark of the island. Steadily she stands on Skeppersholme and keeps a watchful eye on both boats and people concerned.
Exciting story
The island has been inhabited since the 16th century.
The small fishing village's barren and remote location on a rocky island in the western sea relatively far from the mainland has left its mark on both the inhabitants and the buildings. The island received a permanent settlement as early as 1596, when some young fishing families from Orust chose to move out to this small, uninhabited, lonely island in the sea. They were all from old fishing families and their motivation for the move was that they wanted to be closer to the fishing grounds. During the latter part of the 18th century, the island could display a neatly arranged settlement of just over 300 people. This listing was doubled during the 19th century and in 1912 the top listing was reached with as many as 662 people registered in the church register here.
On the Hembygdsföreningen's website you can read more about the island's history - click here!
Do you want to work on Kärringön,click here.
Käringön nowadays
A lively little island, at the far end of the ocean strip.
There are over 200 residential buildings on the island and just over 100 sheds, boat sheds and outbuildings. Today there are about 60 permanent and a couple of hundred part-time residents on Käringön. The grocery store, which is today an ICA ToGo, is open all year round and is very well stocked. There are several restaurants and cafes. The season is long and extends from Easter until mid-December. The quietest period is January to March. The regular ferry makes it possible to visit Käringön all year round, even in winter there are several daily departures.
There is much to see and do on Käringön. For more information about activities, shops, restaurants and more, go to Destination Käringön's website.Click here!
Pastor Samson
Laurenz Olof August Simson.
Born on 13 August 1815 in Gothenburg, died on 23 May 1900 on Käringön, Bohuslän, was a Swedish chapel preacher and school teacher, mainly active on Käringön. Samson was a schartauan and preached severe sermons — some Sundays twice. He was a forceful nature with definite opinions and gradually became increasingly conservative. The people were to be brought up according to strict moral principles. Samson strengthened his power and for a long time he was chairman of the school council, the church council, the parish meeting and the poor welfare board.
He also gave the fishermen advice and had opinions on when the big sea fishing should start in the spring. Käringön was poor in soil, but Samson wanted a garden and the parishioners, mainly the women, for many years transported soil from other islands and from the mainland to the pastor's garden and flowerbeds and also to the cemetery.
Fishing on Käringön
Fishing has been very important.
Käringön's boom times have partly coincided with the great herring periods in the latter part of the 18th century and at the end of the 19th century. Already in the 16th century, the first fishermen came to the island. In addition to herring fishing, the island was characterized by the so-called big sea fishing for ling, ling and cod. The fish was sold to fish processors or salted and dried by the fishermen on the island. In addition, of course, there was coastal fishing for household needs.
Life as a fisherman was very hard and the men were often away for weeks at a time. Then the women took full responsibility for the house, home and care of children and the elderly.
The herring period of the 18th century brought increased prosperity and a significant population growth that also characterized the 19th century. The islanders were now able to build their own church, which was inaugurated in 1796. Previously, people had had to go by sea to Morlanda church to baptize their children, get married and bury their dead, a journey that was often fraught with danger.
There is still small-scale coastal fishing on Käringön. It is mainly focused on cage fishing for lobster, crab and lobster. Freshly cooked seafood from the fish shop is a blessing.
Spa & seaweed bath house
One of the country's safest places in the sun!
At the end of the 19th century, Käringön was mentioned as a seaside resort for the first time. Since then, generation after generation has enjoyed healthy and wholesome bathing on the island. Käringön is one of the westernmost islands in Sweden and at the end of the 19th century Käringön was designated as a health resort because it is one of the country's sunniest places.
The rumor that fresh air and salt water could relieve a variety of ailments became known. Seaweed and different types of baths gave people several health-promoting effects, which meant that a new type of traveler came to Käringön. Both women and men rented private homes to enjoy the clear water, walk barefoot on the rocks and enjoy the sun's rays.
A young doctor named Fredrik Lindskog, who had Käringön as his summer paradise, was passionate about a healthy life by the coast. Käringön's climate with fresh winds, salty water and smooth rock outcrops was a perfect place for anyone who wanted to increase their well-being and health. Just like today, the bathers found their own small or rock to lie on and look out over the unbroken horizon.