Rottneros Park in Sunne – one of Sweden's most beautiful sculpture parks?

Text and photo: Helena Bergström

On a sunny and warm July day, we strolled through Rottneros Park in Sunne. Here, flowering gardens coexist with sculptures, fountains and views over Fryken. For families with children, there is also a playground and a swimming area, and for those who want to take it easy, an ice cream in the sun is perfect. Here are our impressions and tips for a visit.

Rottneros Park – with sculptures and flowers

Rottneros Park is one of Sweden's most well-known sculpture and flower parks. The park, located in Sunne, Värmland, has a strong connection to Selma Lagerlöf.

The park was created by industrialist Svante Påhlson, who was inspired by the Ekeby manor in Selma Lagerlöf's novel The Saga of Gösta Berling. The result was a unique combination of manor house environment, art and garden art.

In the middle of the park is a private mansion, where the great-grandchildren of the park's founder live.

Walking through the park

Walking through Rottneros is a very pleasant and beautiful experience – not least on a beautiful summer day when roses, perennials and other plants are in full bloom. You slowly make your way through the different garden rooms, while there is always something new to look at.

We were fascinated by how crowded the park never felt, even though it was a hot summer day in July. After a while we realized that it probably has to do with the park being so huge – even though we met many visitors at the entrance, they quickly spread out over the large areas.

The art

One of the highlights of Rottneros Park is of course the art. There are sculptures just everywhere. Everything from historical masterpieces and sculptures by famous artists such as Carl Eldh, Johan Tobias Sergel and Carl Milles to significantly newer works by living artists is on display here.

Anyone who wants to can download the app ”Fairytale Sunne” and follow a sculpture tour to find the right one among all the artworks. We chose to just stroll at random and let the art surprise us. Behind the next hedge or around the next corner, there was almost always another sculpture or a new garden room waiting.

For families with children

Rottneros Park is also very suitable for families with children. There is plenty of space to run around and a nice and peaceful swimming area.

There is also a relatively large area with playgrounds. When we passed these I almost regretted being a child. How wonderful to be able to play in a ship or perhaps cross the water via a pirate raft!

Coffee and ice cream

In Rottneros there is also a garden café and, during high season, Rosens ice cream café. After a few hours of walking, a SIA ice cream tasted extra good. We settled in the shade for a while before continuing our exploration through the park.

A nice day in Rottneros Park

We left Rottneros Park feeling like we had spent a few unusually relaxing hours. The combination of floral splendor, art, the view of Fryken and the large open spaces makes the park feel more like a place to experience than a traditional tourist destination. You can read more about the park here..

More attractions in Sunne and Värmland

When you are in Sunne, you certainly don't want to miss a visit to Mårbacka. There is also much else to see and do in Värmland:

• Mårbacka in Sunne
• Borgvik and Glaskogen
• 3 museums in Karlstad
• Things to do in Arvika