The strongly export-dominated granite industry has left its mark on many of the harbours in England, Germany and the Netherlands. Even the expansion of Copenhagen's quays and naval base was supplied by the neighbouring country.
Orders in 1844
The established quarry on Malmön received orders in 1844 for the ongoing lock work in the Trollhätte Canal, and the various stages of the canal construction can still be seen here. Malmön emerged as one of the major stone industry environments in the landscape.
Many of the coastal communities in the landscape have beautiful quays made of carved granite. Lysekil's southern harbour is worth a visit to experience different eras, from the cemetery at Fridhem in the east to Havets hus in the west.
The northern harbour in Hunnebostrand also has large parts of the granite installations preserved. In the vicinity of most of the older major quarries there are now remnants of unloading quays and on some of them you can find remnants of the railway tracks that led down to the level. There are interesting sites along both sides of the Idefjord.
The Sotenäs Canal was created as a "safe waterway" during the unemployment years of the 1930s through so-called AK work. One of the most interesting construction projects on the coast can be seen both from land and by boat.
It was inaugurated in 1935, but the tonnage at sea grew, and today it is mostly used as a tourist route. Outside is Ramsvik, which in the north has traces of the granite era with small quarries and buildings.