The site where Stufvenäs is located is an ancient settlement that was inhabited several thousand years ago. The forest road leading down to the inn passes through a burial ground from the Bronze and Iron Ages. Here you will also find Stufvenäs Spring, which was likely an ancient sacrificial spring. Along the edge of the forest, an ancient road—perhaps a thousand years old—runs north to south, continuing toward Fulvik, Åd, and the castle of Påbonäs. Just south of the inn lies the massive Bronze Age cairn, Blårör. To the east stands the mighty Stufvenäs Oak, weathered by the storms of time, with a circumference of 9.7 meters. The oak is classified as the third largest in Sweden.
Stufvenäs first appears in the historical record in 1546, when King Gustav Vasa, in one of many letters, granted the crown farmer Joen Fierse the right “to build and complete the farm Stufvenäs that he has begun constructing.”
In 1553, the King commanded Joen Fierse, now the King’s bailiff over the Värnaby district, to establish a breeding farm at Wärnanäs and incorporate Södra Värnaby, Stufvenäs, and Nässjökvarn, “all of which he was to manage.” This breeding farm was established, and breeding cattle and sheep were transferred from the seven royal estates on Öland, which surely benefited the area during its operation. However, during the Northern Seven Years’ War, the Danes burned the estate in 1564, though it was later rebuilt by John III.
In 1626, Gustav II Adolf donated the crown croft Stufvenäs to the industrial pioneer Johan Glawue, who had established the Bökenberg glassworks in Germundslycke outside Halltorp. Johan thus gained access to deciduous forests for firewood and potash production for the glassworks.
Later, Stufvenäs returned to the ownership of Wärnanäs, and in 1798, the current Stufvenäs was built by Carl Mannerskantz of Wärnanäs, based on his own designs. At that time, Stufvenäs served as a guest house for Carl’s sister when she came to visit.
In 1802, Carl Mannerskantz’s niece Beata Elisabeth Beckstadius, a clergyman’s daughter from Arby, married Major and Cavalry Captain of the Småland Dragoons, Claes Eric Silversparre. She was 17 and he was nearly 40 when they wed. The couple settled at Stufvenäs and had three sons and four daughters. The sons died young; two daughters married, while two daughters lived their entire lives at Stufvenäs. The Captain died in 1819, while Beata lived to the age of 91, passing away in 1877. The youngest daughter, Miss Charlotte, who became the last Silfversparre here, lived until 1902. It is said of her that she was to be addressed as “Her Grace.” When she went out visiting, she arrived in her horse-drawn landau with a coachman on the box. When she was to alight from the carriage, the coachman would roll out a carpet for her to walk on, ensuring her full-length skirt would not be soiled.
In 1884, Stufvenäs was leased by Carl Hemmingsson. Hemmingsson was born in Linköping and came to Wärnanäs in 1867 as a farm foreman. Carl married Anna Sofia Handfast, and together they had children named Anna, Ebba, Signe, and Axel. Anna and Carl had another son, but he unfortunately died in infancy. Carl leased Stufvenäs for 30 years, after which his son Axel took over the farming operations. Axel was a well-known local official and one of the county’s best marksmen. During his time, Stufvenäs had 43 hectares of arable land and 38 hectares of pasture, and the farm kept 5 workhorses and 20 cows.
In 1939, Stufvenäs was leased by Ture Johansson, who was to be the final tenant farmer. In 1948, the lease ended, and Stufvenäs was brought under Wärnanäs’s own management.
On July 24, 1953, the barn, hayloft, and pigsty burned down after a lightning strike during a heavy thunderstorm. The main building, the brewhouse, and the wing remained.
In 1984, the plot and buildings at Stufvenäs were purchased by Anna-Lisa Bergström, who started a rest home for returning missionaries. The objective was noble, but the financial foundation was too narrow, and the enterprise became insolvent.
In the autumn of 1986, Sigvard Johansson purchased Stufvenäs. He fell in love with the location and saw its potential. After an initial renovation, Stufvenäs Gästgifveri opened in the spring of 1987. Decades of construction and intensive development followed, turning it into a popular gem by Kalmarsund. Sigvard ran Stufvenäs Gästgifveri together with his wife Inger Johansson and their two children, Helena Berzelius and Magnus Berzelius.
In 2019, Stufvenäs Gästgifveri was sold to Marcus Thell, who, together with his staff, will continue to develop Stufvenäs Gästgifveri toward an exciting future. Our core values are courage, joy, love, and commitment. With these as our foundation, we manage and refine Sigvard Johansson’s life’s work.
Our vision is for Stufvenäs Gästgifveri to become Sweden’s best inn and the most natural destination for a complete experience.
A warm welcome to you!