Pilkällan or Mogarpskällan

Cultural history

The Pil Spring or Mogarp Spring is a sacred spring. The name Pil Spring comes from when pilgrims on their journey perhaps to or from Vadstena stopped to drink the spring's water and planted their staff, which was often made of willow wood, in the ground. Willow wood has a very easy time taking root, and the ground here was rich in water. There have been 12 willow trees around the spring.

The spring is located on the land of Sya Farm. According to tradition, the spring should be adorned with flowers and birches every Midsummer; otherwise, it would bring bad luck to the cattle at Sya Farm. Some sources also say that the bad luck would affect everyone in the vicinity if the spring was not adorned on Midsummer, and no one has dared to deviate from this tradition. Every Midsummer Eve at 9:00 AM, people from near and far gather to participate. The program is open to anyone who wants to contribute with something like singing, music, and poetry reading.

The stone that stands at the site was brought from Nydal's estate by John Unell, who also engraved the text that reads: 'The Pil Spring, an ancient offering spring, erected by the Sya Local History Association in 1979.' There is also a smaller stone at the site with the text: 'Rest and take a break, no one travels,' which was also brought by John Unell.

By the road are old stone benches with chains in between. Two of these stood as gate posts at Halvö on the border between Sya and V.Harg. Here, Ka-Nilsa watched to collect a toll when he opened for travelers. His name was Karl Nilsson, and he lived in a cabin by the road.

By the road between Pilkällan and Sya station stood three royal oaks. The legend tells that the three oaks were planted at a meeting that took place here between three kings. The region would perish if these three oaks were cut down. They fell in a fierce storm in September 1969, and a log from these royal oaks has been erected at Pilkällan.

Welcome to take a break in the beautiful grove.