Blå Jungfrun
| Blå Jungfrun National Park | |
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| Blå jungfruns nationalpark | |
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IUCN category II (national park)
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| Location | Kalmar County, Sweden |
| Nearest city | Oskarshamn |
| Coordinates | 57°15.1′N 16°47.6′E / 57.2517°N 16.7933°ECoordinates: 57°15.1′N 16°47.6′E / 57.2517°N 16.7933°E |
| Area | 1.98 km2 (0.76 sq mi) |
| Established | 1926, extended 1988 |
| Visitors | 9,700 (in 1976) |
| Governing body | Naturvårdsverket |
| Website | Swedish Environmental Protection Agency |
Blå Jungfrun ("[the] blue virgin" or "[the] blue maid[en]"), or "Blåkulla" ("Blockula"), is a Swedish island in the Baltic Sea. It is situated in the Kalmar Strait, between the mainland province of Småland and the island province of Öland. Administratively, the uninhabited island is part of the municipality of Oskarshamn and covers an area of approximately 0.7 km2 (0.27 sq mi) with a mean height above sea level of 86 m (282 ft). Home to black guillemots and a Swedish National Park since 1926, freedom to roam at Blå Jungfrun is limited with visitors prohibited from staying overnight on the island or making fires.
The island consists partly of bare rock with the remainder covered in dense hardwood forest. There are several caves and an ancient stone labyrinth from which it is forbidden to remove stones.
Geologically the island is an ancient inselberg rising from the Sub-Cambrian peneplain. Being an inselberg formed in Precambrian time it was covered by sandstone during long timespans.
The island plays an important role in Swedish folklore, where it is viewed as an evil and magical place. The name Blå Jungfrun was originally used by sailors to avoid provoking the evil spirits who dwelt on the island. According to a widespread belief, related already by Olaus Magnus in 1555, witches meet there each Maundy Thursday. Carl Linnaeus, who visited the island in 1741, was sceptical:
Women and fairy-tales ... generally say that all witches will go here (truly a rather difficult journey) each Maundy Thursday; but those who have visited the place once are not likely to return, and should find out the reason for the fable: If any place in the world looks hideous, this is surely one of the most cruel.
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Wikipedia