Fishing Villages on Gotland
Gotland's fishing villages are now serene and picturesque, but in the past, they were sites of life and death.
Fishing has always been a vital part of life on Gotland, with some fishermen surely shedding blood in their efforts. For centuries, fish was a staple for the people of Gotland, but modern fishing regulations have reduced the number of active fishermen. Today, only a few remain.
The small huts in these fishing villages were built to provide warmth, shelter, and storage for equipment. Between or behind the huts, you'll often find "gistgarden," wooden racks used to dry fishing nets. In many places, the "länningar" — the old slipways where boats were hauled ashore — are still visible, especially at Tomtbod. While many fishing villages have been transformed into summer homes or leisure areas, some have survived and are still in use.
No one knows exactly how many thousands of fishermen have drowned or frozen to death over the centuries — no one has kept count. The local records for När offer a glimpse over a few hundred years, and it's heartbreaking to read: hundreds of lives lost in just one parish. This is history every schoolchild should know to understand the struggles of those who came before them.
Länningar (Slipways)
Länningar mark the old boat landings where fishermen once hauled their boats ashore. While modern concrete structures have replaced many, some of the original slipways remain, like the beautiful example at Tomtbod in Burs.
Gistgardi (Net Drying Racks)
A "gistgardi" is a fenced area with racks for drying nets.
Lysstänger (Light Poles)
Lysstänger, used for lighting, are common in fishing villages.
Good to Know
At Kovik in Sanda, you’ll find a fisheries museum, a project by the late cultural giant Erik Olsson, which preserves old boats, huts, and various artifacts from bygone times. Smaller fishing museums can also be found in places like Nyhamn, Sysne, and Ljugarn, near the Fossil Museum.