Visingsö museum

A journey through Visingsö’s history during the county era

  • Museum
  • Free
  • History
  • Visingsö

Visingsö museum

The historic Braheskolan on Visingsö is a cultural landmark with a unique story. Today, it houses Visingsö museum, a must-visit for history enthusiasts who want to learn more about the history of this beautiful island, located in southern lake Vättern.

The building was constructed in 1663 as a courthouse for Visingsö, funded by Count Per Brahe the Younger during the Visingsborg County era. The courthouse was a lavish structure, uniquely built in stone at a time when most buildings were made of wood. Its time as a courthouse was short-lived, as the reduction of Visingsborg County in 1680 rendered it obsolete. Instead, it was repurposed for a newly established gymnasium tied to the higher learning institution founded by Per Brahe the Younger in 1636. From 1656, the school operated out of the nearby Kumlaby Church, which had been converted into a schoolhouse.

Visit Visingsö museum

Today, the building is the oldest preserved courthouse in Jönköping County and has been a protected cultural landmark since 1964. The museum’s exhibition, established in 1992, highlights Visingsö’s history, particularly the county era and the building’s dual roles as a courthouse and school.

The museum is open daily from May to September (until the autumn market) during the reception hours of Wisingsö Hotell & Konferens. For more information, contact the reception at 0390-566 00.

Continue your historical journey

After your visit to Visingsö museum, continue your exploration with a walk to Kumlaby Church, just 500 meters away. This beautiful church dates back to the early 1100s. If you’re feeling hungry or craving ice cream, nearby options include Restaurang Framnäs and Kumlabykiosken.

Visingsö

Take the ferry from Gränna to Visingsö, a gem in Lake Vättern with stunning nature and a rich history tied to the powerful Brahe family. Don’t miss Brahe Church, home to a wealth of artistic treasures. The island is easy to explore by bike or by horse-drawn carriage – remmalag. Here, you're close to nature and can meet alpacas, go horseback riding, or paddle a kayak.

Good to know

  • Accessibility: The museum’s exhibition is on the ground floor, accessible to strollers and wheelchairs.
  • Café/Restaurant: The nearest restaurant is Restaurang Framnäs, located on the same grounds. Kumlabykiosken is a short walk from the museum.
  • Parking: Yes
  • Toilets: No. The nearest restroom is in Wisingsö Hotell & Konferens.

How to get here

Take the ferry from Gränna harbor to Visingsö. Drive along the main road north for about 6 km. The museum is located on the right, within the grounds of Wisingsö Hotell & Konferens, where parking is also available.

The ÖA-svängen bus (line 126) stops approximately 400 meters from the museum at the Visingsö Kumlaby stop. The bus follows a timetable in summer but requires booking during other times. For schedules, see Jönköpings Läns Trafiks hemsida External link, opens in new window.

Show on map

Related to location