Before you lies Lake Anten – once known as Alti, a name believed to derive from the Old Norse word alpt, meaning swan.
For centuries, right up to the present day, swans have returned to this bay to nest in the very same waters.

But the story of Lake Anten is about more than swans.
It also carries an old legend – of Gudmar Magnusson, lawspeaker of Västergötland and lord of the formidable fortress Loholm.

The year is 1312. Gudmar is married to Margareta Ulfsdotter of the Bjälbo family.
According to legend, he inspired the character of the knight Gomer in the tale of the lake spirit Anta.

At this time, Gomer lives at the fortress of Loholm, on the northern shore of Lake Anten.
Across the lake lives a giant – lover of a lake spirit named Anta.

One winter’s day, the giant abducts a young woman from Upplo.
Out on the ice, he meets the knight Gomer. They clash – and the giant is thrown into the lake.
Gomer marries the woman, and they live happily for many years.

But Anta, devastated by the loss of her beloved, vows revenge.

One day, as Gomer is fishing on the lake, a storm rises.
Anta appears in the waves and demands justice. Gomer begs for time – and is granted one year.
But when the year is up, he has forgotten his promise.

Then Anta causes the lake to rise. The water climbs all the way to the tower of the fortress.
To save his family, Gomer walks down to the shore, where Anta is waiting.
He throws himself into her arms – and as the waters recede, Gomer is never seen again.

To this day, the place is known as Gomers sten – Gomer’s Stone –
and according to legend, anyone hoping for good luck in fishing should tip their hat when rowing past.