This small Swedish town has a unique limestone museum, a water tower with panoramic views, and a historic prison dating from 1965. The town center includes local cafes and shops.
Kumla, a town of 21,640 residents in central Sweden, lies 15 kilometers south of Örebro. Walk through streets lined with working shoemaker workshops, climb to the top of Kvarntorpshögen for contemporary sculpture views, or explore the Shoe Industry Museum where you can see century-old cobbling tools and techniques. The town center's art installations and galleries make Kumla an unexpected art destination in central Sweden.
Getting to Kumla
You can reach Kumla by train or car from both Stockholm and Gothenburg via its central location. The E20 highway runs west of the town, and direct trains connect to both cities throughout the day. From the centrally-located train station, you'll reach neighboring Örebro in 9 minutes with trains running every hour.
Art Collections and Exhibitions
At "Art at the Top" (Konst på Hög), walk among contemporary sculptures set against the sky. The 100-meter-high artificial hill holds Kent Karlsson's concrete sculpture "Absit Omen" and Richard Brixel's "Karyatid". Visit Örsta Art Gallery and Konsthallen in the library to see works by contemporary Swedish artists. Follow the town's art walk to find over 20 sculptures and installations in streets and squares.
Town Center and Daily Life
Kumla Square anchors the town center, where you'll find cafes serving kanelbullar (cinnamon buns) and cardamom buns. Local shops sell handmade shoes and crafts. The compact center puts the library, shops, and restaurants within a 10-minute walk from anywhere in town.
Shoemaking History and Museum
Visit the Shoe Industry Museum to learn about Kumla's 130 shoemakers from the mid-1800s. See original leather-working tools, historical shoe collections, and photographs of craftspeople at work. Two Swedish shoe manufacturers still make shoes in Kumla, continuing the town's shoemaking tradition.
Recreation Areas
Cool off at the adventure pool complex with both indoor and outdoor pools, open year-round. Play a round at the 18-hole golf course built on former farmland, or take children to the Town Park's modern playground equipment. In winter, ski at nearby slopes, and in summer, swim or boat at three of Sweden's largest lakes - Vättern, Hjälmaren, and Vänern - all within an hour's drive.
