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Monument · Borgholm, Kalmar
Lerkaka kvarnar
A row of five wooden windmills, of the post-mill type, on a hill near Öland's west coast, between Färjestaden and Borgholm, with views over the Kalmarsund.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Discover
About Lerkaka kvarnar
The windmills are Öland's symbol. In the 19th century the island had around two thousand, used by farmers to grind grain; today about four hundred remain, protected and scattered across the landscape. Most are post mills: the whole wooden mill body turns on a central post to face the sails into the wind, moved by a long lever that reaches the ground.
In Lerkaka, a village on the west coast, five mills stand aligned on a ridge, one next to another, with the Kalmarsund strait in the background. It's a familiar image of the island. The mills are dark wood with large sails and have been restored. You can walk among them and see the structure up close; on some summer days one opens to show the mechanism.
Nearby, the village of Himmelsberga has the Ölands Museum with historic farms, and other rows of mills appear along the road that crosses the island. The late-afternoon sun, coming from the sea side, lights the mills from the front.
The mills are beside the road and can be seen at any time.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
About 20 to 40 minutes.
Best time
In the late afternoon, with the sun coming from the sea to the west. From May to September the surrounding fields are green or golden.
How to get there
It is on Öland's west coast, about 17 km south of Borgholm and 20 km from Färjestaden, beside road 136. By car there is parking next to it; island buses run along the road.
Tip
Stop at Lerkaka on the way between the bridge and Borgholm. For more mills and historic farms, continue to Himmelsberga in the island's interior.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Lerkaka kvarnar
How many windmills are there in Öland?
About four hundred post‑type mills, out of roughly two thousand in the 19th century.
Can you enter the Lerkaka mills?
The mills can be seen up close outdoors. On some summer days one of them usually opens to show the mechanism.
Are the mills near Borgholm?
About 17 km south, along the island's main road.