The story of Öland Bridge

As you drive across, you are on a bridge 6,072 metres long, resting on 155 spans of reinforced concrete. Watch for the hump at the western end: it was built to give ships a clearance of 36 metres. A fixed link to Öland had been discussed for a long time; the first concrete proposal came in 1932, and the politician Fritz Börjesson was a strong driving force.

The government adopted the plan in 1966, the first sod was turned on the mainland on 30 December 1967, and the bridge was inaugurated on 30 September 1972, with Crown Prince Carl Gustaf among the speakers. Not everyone was happy: protesters feared a great influx of tourists would threaten Öland's vulnerable nature. Yet emigration from the island reversed, and many new homes were built around Färjestaden.

Until 1998 it was the longest bridge in Europe. Look south from the western end too: a wooden footbridge about 150 metres long, leading to the island of Svinö, echoes the shape of the big bridge.