Parola Malm – Visingsö’s first harbour

Parola Malm has been an important site on Visingsö since the Middle Ages.

For many years, this was the starting point for the so-called ‘kronorodden’, a system under which farmers were obliged to row officials between Visingsö and the mainland.

In 1783, Visingsö’s first harbour with regular boat services was established here. The initiative came from Sven Peter Liljenroth, a lecturer in philosophy, who also funded the so-called ‘parcel boat’. The boat sailed every Wednesday between Kumlaby, on Visingsö, and Gränna, handling both postal services and passenger transport – an important link to the outside world.

The harbour was officially opened that same year and named Parola Malm, after a location in Finland where King Gustav III had recently suffered an accident. The harbour was used extensively until 1863, when a new harbour was built at Visingsborg Castle and traffic here ceased.

During the 20th and 21st centuries, the site was restored by the Kumlaby village association. Archaeological surveys have been carried out and the jetties have been rebuilt. Today, Parola Malm is both a cultural and historical monument and a vibrant meeting place that tells the story of Visingsö’s communications and everyday life in days gone by.

Administrator: Kumlaby village association