Tegelbruksbacken-Norrfjärden Nature Trail

The landscape of Tegelbruksbacken-Norrfjärden shifts from beach groves at the mouth of Tjöckån to open meadows and farmland as well as coniferous and mixed forest islets. The majority of the area belongs to the Natura 2000 network, and the pastures of Tegelbruksbacken are valuable cultural environments. For several centuries, Tegelbruksbacken has served as pastureland for cows and horses, and the area is a good example of how grazing has given rise to a semi-cultural landscape where dry and fresh meadows vary with each other.

In addition to the mouth of Tjöckå and the bay, the Norrfjärden area also includes a spruce forest area, a pasture meadow, and old arable strips located on the northern side of the bay. For nature's biodiversity, the nutrient-rich, flood-affected islets and the shoreline forests along the shore of Tjöckån are particularly important.

Tegelbruksbacken got its name from a brickworks that operated in the area during the 18th century. The brickworks also included a manor house, which burned down in 1859. The clay needed for brick production was taken from the nearby Lerviken. The finished bricks were transported by boats along the river. Among other buildings, Kristinestad's town hall was built using bricks from Tegelbruksbacken.