Gotland, Sweden

[ Photo Gallery # 82 }

Gotland is Sweden’s largest island.  It is (approximately) 176 km (109 miles) by 52 km (32 miles), with a coastline of c. 800 km (500 miles) and a population of round about 58,003,  over 23,000 of whom live in Visby, the island’s main town.  The island has had a long and colourful history, due in large measure to its strategic position in the Baltic Sea.  Gotland’s main activities today centre around agriculture, food processing, tourism, and information technology services.  There is a small amount of heavy industry, particularly associated with concrete production from limestone which is mined on the island.

My photographs below were taken on a visit to the island in 2004.

Gotland’s position on the Baltic Sea

View across the roofs of Visby towards the Baltic Sea, with the ruins of the Saint Catherine church on the left. 

View towards the Cathedral in Visby

Visby Cathedral, now known as St. Mary’s Church

View of Visby Cathedral’s towers from outside the city wall

On the Baltic shore near Visby

Interior of a reconstructed Viking Longhouse on Gotland

Further view of the Interior of a reconstructed Viking Longhouse on Gotland

Västerhejde Church on Gotland

The Iron Age Stone Ship burial place at Gnisvärd.   Such stone ships are burial places for the chieftain of a village, built of many large stones, placed in the shape of a ship. The persons remains are cremated in a large bonfire and then placed in a vessel in the centre of the stone ship.  This one at Gnisvärd is Gotland’s second largest ship at 45 metres in length

Another view of the Iron Age Stone Ship burial place at Gnisvärd.