The Kvarken Archipelago World Heritage Site celebrates 20 years

This year marks the 20th anniversary since the Kvarken Archipelago was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, a recognition that highlights the area's unique nature and its great importance for future generations.

A World Heritage Site is an area deemed to have universal value, something so unique and significant that it cannot be lost. The Kvarken Archipelago was selected for its dynamic geology: here, the land rises almost 1 cm per year. This means that new islands slowly emerge from the sea, shorelines shift, and the landscape changes. Together with the High Coast in Sweden, Kvarken forms a joint World Heritage Site where the land uplift is more visible than almost anywhere else in the world.

In Vörå, Mickelsörarna is our part of the World Heritage Site. This group consists of nearly 300 islands where nature, cultural history, and land uplift meet. On Kummelskär, you'll find Mickelsörarna's Nature Station, a former coast guard station that was decommissioned in 1993. Today, the harbor, accommodations, and café are managed by the cooperative Solrutten. The island also offers a roughly one-kilometer-long nature trail that showcases the area's natural features and the remains of old hut foundations.

Throughout 2026, the anniversary will be celebrated with events highlighting the archipelago's natural environment and history. This summer, we'll also once again organize boat trips to Mickelsörarna. More events and activities are on the way—keep an eye on municipal information and the Ostrobothnia events calendar.

Joint web portal about the High Coast and Kvarken Archipelago

Find more detailed information on Kvarken, attractions, and places to visit here