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A man and a woman stand on a bridge with a red brick building in front of them. The man is wearing a blue jacket and the woman is wearing blonde hair and an orange jacket.

Photographer: Rebecca Martyn / Visit Hjo

Grebbans Mill from 1902

A waterfall, a mill, a legacy – here, water and history have shaped the land.

A Sawmill and a Flour Mill

On the 1696 map, this location is marked with a “Sågqvarn” – a sawmill, which may also have functioned as a gristmill. According to church records, Jöns Carlsson, a miller, lived here in 1695.

When the modern Grebbans Mill was built in 1902, it drew much attention. A crumbling skvaltkvarn (simple horizontal mill) had previously stood on the site.
The owner, Åsens Estate, commissioned a new, state-of-the-art brick mill. It could process large loads of grain with impressive speed for the time. Locals fondly remembered miller August Johansson and his sons as masters of their craft.
It was said to be a joy to watch the freshly milled flour flow into bins and bags.

Expanded With Hydropower

In 1925, a small hydroelectric station was added to the mill. The milling operation ended in the 1930s, and the building later served as a storage facility for Hjo Mekaniska Verkstad. After some decades of disuse, the building fell into serious decay. By the early 1990s, the mill had become a ruin – its roof collapsed and all windows gone.

Thanks to an extensive restoration, the building was reopened on 10 September 1995. Today, Grebbans Mill hosts art exhibitions, musical events, and serves as an educational venue for schools and preschools.

 

 

Follow the Nature Trail

The nature reserve is a green oasis in the heart of the town, offering wonderful outdoor experiences all year round. Follow the Nature Trail along the Hjo River, from Hjo Harbour all the way up to the small lake Mullsjön, just west of the town.
This lush and leafy path takes you on a historic walk through wild landscapes, rich in birdlife – right in the middle of Hjo.

You can easily find the trail by following the wooden signs marked “NATURSTIGEN” along the river.
The full walk is approximately 4 km, from Hjo Harbour to Stämmorna at Lake Mullsjön.

Trail Information

  • Waymarking: Clearly marked nature trail with wooden signs: "NATURSTIG"

  • Length: Approx. 4 kilometres

  • Food along the trail: YES – restaurant Stampens Kvarn

  • Toilets: Dry toilet at Stämmorna, Mullsjön

  • Open: Year-round

  • Managed by: Hjo Municipality

  • Protected area: Part of the EU’s ecological network of protected areas, Natura 2000

Last updated on: 8 January 2025