July 7, 2013:
I park at Hallaröd church. I ask a man for a toilet. There was
formerly in a shed, but it's gone. I will make a visit to the bushes
instead. Inside, on a tree, someone has posted a cloth animal. On the ground,
is glass, some broken. Strange.
Heading west along the northern cemetery wall goes cut grass path. I follow
it. Soon, I get into a grove of trees. In the spring, the trail can be really
wet, today it is dry and fine. Transitioning to a real path. The other end of
the grove is St. Olaf well. Olof Haraldsson, King of Norway, which he
christened with brutal methods. He was killed July 29th 1030 in the Battle of
Stiklestad in central Norway. His Holiness proved by miracles that took place
at his grave. In the Middle Ages became the well a pilgrimage spot, sacrificed
money and food for health and prosperity. The biggest day was the Olof Day on
July 29. One visited while here also the fair held near the church. The market
moved in the 1700s to Horby where it is today. Today is a pilgrimtrail from
Höör to the well.
The well is located behind a stone wall. A honeysuckle is as a gate in the
opening in the stone wall. Benches invite you to sit down, somewhat
uncomfortable, for a moment of silence. I eat my lunch. Once pilgrim wandered
here to sacrifice to cure their ailments. Maybe something for me with my
troublesome back. I sit down at the well, looking down into the water. The
back does not get better. I suppose I am too stingy that does not sacrifice
any money, and the food, that I have already eaten up.
I've been here a few times, in spring flower anemones. Today ferns adorn the
stone wall. The trail Skåneleden passing by, this is a place for a short rest
for the hiker. My rest finish, walk back to the church, and drive home on the
scenic route between Hallaröd and Munkarp.
Hallaröd church
Map