Stora Alvaret

Stora Alvaret

Stora Alvaret is a 37 kilometre long and 15 kilometre wide area of barren limestone plain covering the southern parts of Öland. The area comprises a quarter of the island’s total area. Alvaret’s principal distinguishing feature is treeless moorland with the bedrock consisting of Ordovician limestone, often exposed or only covered with a thin layer of earth. There are smaller areas of bare limestone plain in other parts of Öland and in some places in Västergötland, including Kinnekulle. With a special flora and a large number of unique species, the area has been used historically as pastureland. The grazing is necessary to prevent the area becoming overgrown. Along with southern Öland’s cultural landscape, Stora Alvaret has been designated a world heritage site by the UN agency, UNESCO.