Solberga nature reserve

Nature reserve

Oak in different ages is the most common tree in the grazed pastures of Solberga.

Thanks to the old, hollow, and partly decayed trees, the area is very rich in wood-living beetles. Among them is the rare leather beetle, a large beetle that is also Östergötland's landscape insect.

In Solberga, 17 nationally red-listed (endangered) species and six regionally red-listed species have been found. The trees are also important for lichens and fungi. Here, for example, are the unusual species old-man's beard lichen, yellow droplet lichen, and beefsteak fungus. Solberga is part of Natura 2000, the EU's network for valuable nature.

In spring, bushes of blackthorn and hawthorn bloom beautifully white and fragrant. In some places, there is quite a nice flora. Plants such as haymaker, cat's foot, stag, and red campions thrive due to the grazing of cows in the meadows. The reserve also includes the island with the charming name of Lily of the Valley Island.

Parts of the area are included in a national interest for cultural heritage preservation. Perhaps the most remarkable are the two burial grounds from the Iron Age, with a total of about 150 graves. These burial fields are located in the eastern pasture south of Svartån. The graves are of various types, stone settings, standing stones, stone circles, chamber graves, and even a trident. Also, a good distance outside the burial fields in the western meadow, two individual graves have been found.

Old fields from different eras occur in some places within the pastures, and these include a few cairns and ditches. A stone row from the Iron Age can also be seen near the burial fields.