Sikavarp
Sikavarp , as Sikehamn called, was a in the Middle Ages existing village on the Swedish Baltic island of Öland belonging headland Kapelludden .
history
Sikavarp, located directly on the east coast of the island, was probably of great importance as a port and marketplace in the 12th and 13th centuries. In particular, herrings were sold here to Hanse merchants . Herring was of great importance as a Lent in Christian Central Europe. In return, mainly salt was traded for the Öland needs, especially for the preservation of fish.
A three-meter-high stone cross that is still preserved in the 13th century may have served as a place for open-air worship. The St. Birgitta Chapel was also built in the 13th century .
In the late Middle Ages, Sikavarp developed into an important transshipment point for stones that were needed for the construction of central European cathedrals .
It is believed that the port was administered by the church. In the course of the Reformation under Gustav Wasa , trade was shifted to the cities, with which Sikavarp lost its importance and was abandoned. While the exact extent of the trading activity is unknown, there are speculations that the trade had become so extensive that the cities of Kalmar and Borgholm complained of competition and hence King John III. ordered the transfer of trade to cities.
Today there are still remnants of the original buildings. In particular, the ruins of the St. Birgitta Chapel, a stone cross and the remains of a defensive ski jump on the headland. Pits lined with clay were found in several places, which can possibly be interpreted as the remains of market stalls.
location
While the chapel and cross have been preserved, the exact location of the port is debatable. It is conceivable that a port that is still located there today marks the location of the old port. It is possible, however, that the port was located further south in Skedstad Bay .
literature
- Andreas Hassler, Sweden Handbook , Edgar Hoff Verlag 2001, ISBN 3-923716-10-9 , page 266
Coordinates: 56 ° 49 ′ 8.7 " N , 16 ° 50 ′ 23.8" E