← Go Back

Timeline of Åsens By

Åsens By has a rich history dating back to the Middle Ages, with people having lived here for centuries. The village has since evolved with new buildings and changes, and in 2000, Åsens By became Sweden’s first cultural reserve. In its very first year, 31,500 visitors came to experience this historical gem.

Here are some key events in the history of Åsens By:

According to the scientific book series Det Medeltida Sverige, the first written mention of the name Åsen occurred in 1455, when Sweden was part of the Kalmar Union. 

Åsen is first mentioned in land registers. The land registers were a record of land properties used for taxation, including details of the location, size, yield, owner’s name, etc. 

The Haurida parish map shows Norrgården as a half tax unit (mantal) and Södergården as a full tax unit. Mantal was a historic measure in Sweden and Finland used to describe the value of a farm property and its productivity, mainly used for calculating taxes and other obligations.

The main building, tenant house, and eastern wing in Norrgården are constructed.

Norrgården would later serve as the parsonage for many years.

The Old Lesser Undantaget is built.

The Lagaskifte reform was decided in Sweden. Lagaskifte was a reform that consolidated scattered parcels of land into larger, contiguous farms, improving agricultural efficiency and productivity. Due to disputes over a land parcel, the shift was never carried out at Åsen.

The barn at Södergården is constructed.

Sven-Petter Carlsson moves into Södergården, now known as Tekla’s House.

Tekla Svensson is born. She would later spend her entire life at Åsen.

Södergården (Tekla’s House) undergoes extensive renovations, and Tekla’s Barn is built.

At this time, around 30 people are believed to live in Åsens By.

The Mansgården ceases to be the parsonage.

The stable at Norrgården is built.

A small school is run at Norrgården until 1927, when it is moved to a new schoolhouse in Haurida.

The main building is partially renovated, and electricity is installed.

A new barn is constructed at Norrgården after a fire destroys the previous stable.

Electricity is installed in Tekla’s Barn, about seventy years after it was introduced to Sweden.

Once, after installation, lightning struck the large pine tree next to the barn, which was seen as a sign from God that electricity could be dangerous. As a result, electricity was never installed in the residential house.

Tekla Svensson passes away, marking the end of Åsen’s last resident. The village falls into dormancy.

Lommaryds parish, the previous owners of the village, merges with Aneby Church Association. However, they were not interested in maintaining the buildings and farmland, so they divided the land into three horse farms for sale.

Aneby Municipality starts a project to train unemployed construction workers in the restoration of cultural buildings in a careful and traditional manner, restoring, among others, the main building and the undantaget.

Aneby Municipality purchases the three subdivided properties and begins a collaboration with the local parish council.

Södergården is preserved and restored.

The County Administrative Board protects Åsens By as a nature reserve.

Cultural reserves are established in Sweden to protect areas of significant cultural-historical value, including buildings and landscapes. Decisions to establish them are made by the county administrative board or municipality.

Åsens By becomes Sweden’s first cultural reserve, and 31,500 visitors are recorded in its first year.

The tenant house is renovated into a hostel, and the brew house is renovated.

The exhibition “The Farmer’s Year,” showcasing Åsen’s agricultural tools, premieres in Tekla’s Barn.

Renovations begin for the main building and Tekla’s garden.

The Åsens Friends Association is established.

Aneby Municipality transfers the operations to the Åsens By Cultural Reserve Foundation.

Tekla’s Barn is renovated and reopened. Today, it is a popular venue, especially among our wedding guests.

Södergården’s barn is inaugurated as a museum building.

Undantaget becomes part of the hostel operations.

A part of Åsens Utmark is protected as a nature reserve.

The main building is renovated, and all catering services are moved to Tekla’s Barn, where the farm shop is also opened.