Gotland

With approximately 160 kilometers and 25 kilometers wide is the largest island Gotland in the Baltic Sea in Summer dar. The island has almost subtropical climate, so there are growing grapes, peaches and mulberries. In the summer months reached Gotland a sunshine duration of about 330 hours a month. Give once a field in Germany - except the Kaiserstuhl again - where you can expect a similarly high number of hours of sunshine.

You see, we must not only bring Sweden with cold, snow and bad weather in context.

About the weather: There is no bad weather, only badly dressed people!

Almendalen in Visby

From the ancient port in the Middle Ages is not much left, now it is silted up and we did a pretty park it.

Visby city wall

The mighty walls of Visby was built in 1270 to protect the city from the local peasant population. Farmers such as city population drove long-distance trade, as were not of rivalries and tensions.

Rocks in Lergrav

The Rocks in Lergrav belongs to one of the largest in Gotland. Originally, these tendrils stood in the sea, that is a clear sign that the coastline was once more innerland.

Old sheep barn on Fårö

Only very rarely see them, the old Gotland sheep pens. Occasionally, however, they are still found on Fårö to. The birch twigs plugged fronds are probably pagan in origin and should suggest to keep away bad luck and disasters.

Gotland sheep

The horns of the Gotland sheep are now largely breed away. But if we have a sheep with horns, so you can say that you have the old Gotland Gutefår on.

Fishing village on Helgumanen Fårö

An old fishing village idyll of how unlikely it is again. The fishing village is still intact and is used for fishing. Even the plant has its own well, which is still safe drinking water supplies.

Old boat in the fishing village Helgumanen at Fårö

.... It has done his duty and has had it!

St. Olaf dog

St. Olaf's dog or the St. Olafs gate. St. Olaf was the Holy, who introduced in Scandinavia to Christianity.

Church of Gothem

The Church of Gothem is one of the largest, but also most remarkable churches of Gotland. The oldest part is the choir and the nave, both dated to the 13th Century

Pulpit in the church of Gothem

The pulpit was established in 1709. It was painted by the local artist John Hernell.

Stalls in the church of Gothem

The magnificent choir bank can simply call the jewel of the Middle Ages, it dates from the 13th Century.

Painting on the pew doors in Gothem

An unusually high quality exhibit the paintings on the pew doors. They have been painted in the years 1680 with allegorical figure paintings.

The Church of Martebo

The church from the 14th Century art history is one of the most important churches on the island of Gotland. All Gothic portals are decorated with beautiful heading of a chapter.

Chapter at the portal of the Church of Martebo

The relief is the scene "Christ in Hades" dar. The devil, is shown in large format, bound with a lock fitted on the ground. Next door, the wide-open mouth of a monster, symbolizing that the dead.

Baptismal font in the church of Martebo

The baptismal fonts in the medieval churches of Gotland could be very different. Shown here do you assign a font under the Paradise-Batismal. With the curved Paradise-Batismal basin type is meant.

Interior of the Church of Martebo

The main building has no central pillar, the enormous pressure on the outer walls of the vault has mastered the architect with a bold design. The exterior walls are slightly inclined inward. With this type of work a central pillar was unnecessary. The vault height is 12 meters.

Bas-relief at the church in Gröttlingbo

Become legendary and in the vast Scandinavian region known to the relief of the two warring Viking Warrior, which is reproduced in a simple heraldic representation. It attributes the work to the anonymous sculptor Sigraf.

Church in the Middle Ages

On the island of Gotland, there are a considerable number of medieval churches, which are largely all extremely well preserved. Of the houses and palaces of princes and rulers can not claim this. The explanation can probably assume that before the end of worship but had respect and reverence, and that before the arson at the last moment but probably shrink. Accordingly, the religious cult was then nurtured.

Were the Vikings even such a warlike and savage people, so we used the church. The church-goers were under a strict seating arrangement. Individuals and families with the highest reputation were placed in the front row. The further allocation of pews was then made in a gradation of rank and prestige of the individual or the individual family. Often there was dispute over the seating arrangements. Too often, people complained about it yet, but that it according to their rank and prestige actually much, much would have to sit further forward.

Among the worshipers there was also a man who wanted to fit not at all with the other churchgoers. It was the Kyrkstötman to the english Church jerky man . But even his clothes with his wide-flowing cloak cape clearly distinguished him from other believers. Another thing was striking and attracted the attention, an approximately 3 m-long rod, which he always carried in his hand. Incessantly he watched the worshipers and walked past the bench. Now it happened once, that not one of those present was so completely in devotion and faith, or an appeal before even a nap, so he got from the Church jerky man with the long stick a short but strong Stöten english or a push, hence the name Kyrkstötman. Once such on such unfriendly treatment startled and then placed on Habacht and front man, immediately took the offending believers to worship and religious ceremonies back in part. Rules must surely be, eventually they found themselves in a house of worship and devotion was announced!

One more feature can be seen in medieval churches on Gotland today, called the Hourglass. When the hour glass it was simply an hourglass. It was intended for the pastor, who delivered his sermon from the pulpit. was recorded during the sermon ingang set hourglass constantly remind him of his remaining time to preaching.

Sometimes my mind wanders off. Kyrkstötmann ...., I could imagine me as a profession, certainly would be my dream job!

Picture stones in Änge

Remarkable about this picture in Änge stones is that they are still at the same site, which today is only very rarely the case.

Reconstruction of a house from the Iron Age

In Gervide one has even made an attempt on the found stone foundations of a house from the Iron Age to be reconstructed. About the furniture at that time is almost nothing known. Conceivable probably are many bed-and couches.

Oak of Alva

The 500-year-old oak was already mentioned in 1741 by Carl Linnaeus in his travel narratives. He noted at that time a tree size of 10 Alnar equal to 6 meters. He further wrote that the height of the tree was 37 Alnar equal 22 meters. The diameter of the tree crown was 44 Alnar of 25 meters. Today, the tree has a circumference of 8 meters.

Sand dune Ullahau

For a long time you could not see the dune and its movement in the handle. Only through increased plantings could stop the movement - 3 meters per year.

Orchid

Gotland is also orchids country! To grow on the island of 36 different species of orchids. For Scandinavia extremely surprising.

Grave mound Majesterroir

The hill was one grave with one of the forms of burial in Gotland. The bulge in the middle of the hill is a clear sign that the grave chamber has collapsed.

Open grave mound near Kauparve

How did a grave mound may have looked inside and its construction was, we can clearly convey the archaeological excavation of a mound or tomb in Kauparve near Lärbo.

Open grave mound near Kauparve

Clearly you can see the actual grave chamber drawn to the walls at a distance is a ring-shaped retaining wall. The gap was then filled with stones later.

Tjelvars grave

Another form of burial was the ship was set. For the Vikings, the ship was a key point in life, so it is not surprising that the dead should take a boat in the Valhalla (Norse realm of the dead). The ships are all always interpreted in north / south direction. (The Vikings suspected the realm of the dead in the north)

Rannarve

A ship was set with the same number of ships we can admire in Rannarve at Klintenhamn. Steven on Steven to four ships sailing in a straight line one after another in northern direction. The ships are all the same size, and 9 meters long and 5 meters wide. The largest stone Steve has a height of 2 meters.

Ship settlements

In the wide Baltic Sea area you will see - from human hand invested - peculiar stone formations very often. These are ship settlements (schwed. Skeppssättning). The findings of the ship settlements apply predominantly to the Scandinavian area, however, there are also findings beside spring Bornholm (Denmark), Å land islands (Finland) still isolates in the Baltic States and Russia). The first and therefore oldest ship settlements still come from Bronce-and early Iron-Age, so B.C. birth. Only much later there originated still an other kind which is to be assigned to the Viking's time.

In most cases the ship settlements existed of high aufgerichten stones, also erratic blocks still called. These formations always took the form of a ship. Bug and rear were taken - for the purpose of better symbolism - with higher stones. Then on the middle of the hull running, the stones dropped according to dimensions by her height something. Nevertheless, all ship settlements had in common one, bug and rear were always aimed in the north / south direction.

With the ship settlements it concerned a funeral form and was of benefit only for the princes and headmen. In the internal space there was a stone-box in whose inner room personal things of the dead, but mainly weapons were added. The ship formed for the Vikings in her life a central centre. In this respect one was also of the opinion that the dead by the ship travels home in the kingdom of the dead. The Vikings supposed the Valhalla (north. Kingdom of the dead) in the north, hence, also the adjustment the south / north of the ships.

The biggest found ship settlement is of Ales Stenar and is with Kasberga in Sweden. With a total of 59 stones a ship is (concentric here reproducedly with a length of 67 m and a width of 19 m. In the bug the height of 3.3 m takes of the stone, while the rear is still trained with a stone of 2.5 m. The longitudinal dimensions and width mass corresponded to a great extent to the proportions of the actual Viking's ships. However, with the ship settlement of Ales Stenar it concerns not a grave form separate rather the formation in the east / west shows the direction of the sunrise or the sundown. With the ship settlements it was not in such a way that still a ship settlement occurred. Thus there are kinds where sails several ships "in the group" to stone opn stone. e.g., Ranarve in Gotland (four ships in a row) or Anunshög in the Värmland.

About the meaning and kind to several ships lying one after the other, still no persuasive answer has the archeologists.

Trullhalsar

There were many forms of burial, as here, the judges rings. However, it was not addressed here, but wanted to send the form, set up so "should" come here to express.

Wheel cross grave at Stenkyrka

Nearby Stenkyrka is a so-called Wheel cross grave of about 17 meters in diameter. The outer edge is designed in two rows of stones of similar size. Between these rocks and near the hub of the wheel, which is formed with a low stone collection, are Y-shaped 'spokes' put out small stones.

Sigsarve

A beautiful spot in the middle of nature and solitude. One can argue that it would already be in paradise, people can be found here as good as any.

Vicarage St. Bring

We do not know exactly how this building has once looked. At least we know that there has been a three-story buildings and very handsome. Why indeed, the medieval churches are largely preserved well, but the mansions as well as not, the archaeologists also have no clear explanation.

Langhammars

A special scene is created in the nature reserve Langhammars. There are tendrils left standing after the shoreline has retreated. With a little imagination you can picture the characters and purest forms. In any case, a light breeze blowing across Easter Island.

Fiskegränd in Visby

The narrow and twisty streets are often lined with roses and invite you to visit again and again.

Furnace Barläst

There were different types of furnace. I means: You could feed a furnace either above or below. The picture shows a lime kiln, which was fed from above. The crushed limestone had to be brought here on a wooden ramp built for loading from above.

Bläse Kalkbruk

In Bläse Kalkbruk furnace has a point to a prehistoric industry. Today turned into a museum, we are establishing an impressive testimony of a former industry.

Hatch in a furnace

A burn process took about 2 x 24 hours. We needed this one kept constant temperature of 1200 ° C.

Minstrel-court Fleringe

In 1781 Lars Olofsson bought this farm. His eldest son, Olof, Grodd-called Ole, the court took over from his father. From that date then the era began as Minstrel-court. The house served not only as a farm but was inn. With agriculture Grodd-Ole did not have much in mind, when were always guests in the house, took Grodd-Ole its musical instruments and played on.

Musical instrument in Minstrel-court Fleringe

Grodd, Ole was a good violinist and a virtuoso on almost the hurdy-gurdy. Two sons had Grodd, Ole, were both musicians as the father.

Room in Minstrel-court Fleringe

The continuation and maintenance of the minstrel tradition by sons Grodd-Ole's, it was that the farm for nearly 100 years to the Center of minstrel life developed.

beach Knights Court Kyllaj

A worth seeing old beach-rittergarden from the 18 Century is seen in Kyllaj. Knight beach or Strand-Bailiff called the customs officials of the city of Visby, whose job was to strengthen the supervision and control over a particular stretch of coast exercise. In the yard lived the Beach-Knight Johan Ahlblom.

Red Hall in beach Knights Court Kyllaj

Although it was a privilege of the Beach-Knight, that the population for lodging and accommodation had to see the beach knight, but John was Ahlblom the assigned court to dull and too easy, so he created with his own Kyllaj beach Knights Courtn.

Baroque in closet beach Knights Court Kyllaj

Showpiece of the house is the old baroque closet. The engraved initials JAB and EMS mean Ahlblom Johan Malmsten and Elizabeth his young wife. The engraved date is the anniversary of the two.

Rocks at the beach Knights Court Kyllaj

The environment of the beach Knights Court Kyllaj is extremely beautiful and sexy. Even Carl von Line spent here you. In his honor the hill as a line-hill was named.

Julmännengrav

Neben einer, in einer Reihe von sieben hintereinander liegenden Steinen, verblüffen ganz besonders diese Steine. Alle habe sie eine In addition to one in a series of seven behind the other stones, especially astound these stones. All they had a pulled gutter with several shell holes, so ingrained around mines. Archaeologists have not yet this interpretation and explanation. It is believed that it has traded here for victims of stones. But what has been sacrificed? People or animals? Did the dish wells before or after the stones were placed. Many questions but no answers!!

Mystical grinding grooves

Seem almost mystical to the grinding grooves in Gotland. Archaeologists have so far no convincing answer to this. Did you initially, it's here that formerly swords were ground - and this is pleasing to fit into the history of the Vikings - that were then more and more doubts. At exactly was the scratch pattern, and it includes polished.

Kattlundssgård

The farms were built in medieval times as a fortress, of which evidence can be found by looking at the loopholes in the massive ashlar walls. Let there be no confusion with loopholes does not mean that the picture clearly protrude creature. >>>> For details see the next picture in a close-up.

Bar protection during court Kattlundsgård

The farms were built in medieval times as a fortress, of which evidence can be found by looking at the loopholes in the massive ashlar walls. Let there be no confusion with arrow slit does not mean that the picture clearly protrude creature. >>>> For details see the next picture in a close-up.

Courtyard by Kattlundsgård

Kattlundsgård was once the court of Judge Bottolf Kattlund Thing, of which touches the names of her designation of the court. The judge was handed down for centuries in Gotland.

Well winds in Kattlundsgård

For a Gotland farm was typical that one also had its own well. The fountain shown here, drew the water fountains still on old tradition with winds and buckets.

Gustavian bed pullout

Do not be fooled by the proportions of the bed. NO, so small, people were not then! The bed is a so-called "Gustavian bed", so a pull-out bed.

Museumsgarden Pete's Farm

For a long time the yard was owned by the pharmacist Ada Block of Visby, which used the court well and lovingly restored model. Today he is in possession of the Fornsalmuseums.

Old room in Pete `s Farm

The old house was - in contrast to the "new room" - usually the room where you stayed everyday. This spatial arrangement was not unusual for the Gotland farms.

New room in Pete `s Farm

The new room was in the Gotland farmhouses always the space that was at festivals, visit or use their Sunday best. They were called also the "front room".

The Church of Öja

The Church of Öja is probably one of the highlights of Gotland travelers. From a distance, the high church tower can be discerned. Sailors he once served as a safe landmark.

Interior of the Church of Öja

Inside the church you will meet a room decorated with ornamental arches. The whole is borne by four pillars. Showpiece of the room is the great triumph triumphal cross. The oldest part of the church is the choir that the 13 Century is dated.

Triumph triumphal cross of the Church of the Cross

With a diameter of 6 meters, the cross is the greatest triumph triumphal cross in the entire European region. It is not only the greatness which stands here in this wood sculpture, but the filigree elaborations. The quarter circles are fitted with ornate roses, interspersed with diamond-shaped images with representations of birds.

Church of Vamlingbo

The rural church has Vamblingbo at first glance a somewhat strange appearance. The torso appearance of the tower is due to a lightning strike her from the year 1817, for the church's interior impresses with exceptionally fine wall paintings.

Murals in the church of Vamblingbo

Unique and powerful representation of force "diie souls." The content is Swedish legend. A host of>> 6666 devils <<"is on its way to take the soul of the dying Emperor Henry II in possession. draw in a thrilling battle and drag them to the shells of the scales in the diie good and evil deeds to keep the balance.

Grassland in Mästerby

When creating the grasslands they were always intent on achieving a balance between sun and shade. It puts into effect this order by ordering the trees and shrub groups in a clever scheme that an alternate play between sunlight and shadow stopped.

Idyll in the grasland Mästerby

The graslands are now a unique Idyll for people dar. animals and plants have an almost undisturbed existence. One can engage in contemplative silence and stillness there.

Monoliths (Broojkar)

Stone monuments are found quite frequently in Scandinavia. There are slender upright stones. Occasionally you can find them but also in Poland and England. Probably a "gift" to the seafaring Vikings!

The hall of Lojsta

Nearly by the Lake of Lojsta found a foundation of a house from the Iron Age. In 1931, it was examined and some time later the reconstruction of an Iron Age house.

Interior of the hall of Lojsta

On the establishment of the house is not known. In this respect, the furniture pictured here serve only for a reconstruction.

Church in Stånga

In the 14th Century was built the Church of Stånga new. Except for the Absidenchor were razed architect for the new construction was the anonymous sculptor Egypticus. The tower is next to the churches Öja, Dalhem Rone and the highest in the island.

Portal of the Church in Stånga

The south facade is equipped with life-size figures, but apparently they have been inserted haphazardly. Most likely, these sculptures for a different portal or another church were provided with larger dimensions.

Medieval fittings at the church Stånga

The fittings at the entrance are still medieval. Links at eye level is an old yardstick. The "Stångayardstick" the inscription reads: "This is a right Gotland yardstick". You must know this: In the Middle Ages, there have been disputes over weights and measures, it could be different a yard long to come to a single yardstick, was proclaimed and a yardstick for the people posted very public.

Pack House

As it may well be received in the medieval trading well, we can vividly convey the Forsalmuseum in Visby.

Coastal road to Holburgen

Most scenic landscape, the coast road to Holburgen.

Dry wall on the road to Holburgen

Sometimes it is the purest art of stacked Dry walls. Unfortunately, they are less and less, because a decline is no one makes the effort it to pile up again.

The Holburgsgubben

A bizarre rock formations is happening on at Holburgen. It is the Holburgsgubben. It is not difficult to make up the Skyline of a figure. With humor always say in Gotland, the most photographed man on the island.

Holburgsgubben

The Holburgsgubben is, according to legend, a troll who was invited by a poor farmer to his wedding ceremony. In fact, one can see with a little imagination, a huge head with a big nose. A slightly mischievous smile around the mouth, which reinforce the impression of far zurückwehenden hair.

The invitation to the wedding party had complied with the Holburgsgubben yes you, but when he heard that in addition to Christ and other saints, a drummer was invited to the old man suddenly screamed at and called off his participation. His reasoning was this: That was the "Drummer of the Lord", every time I met him, he took a hammer and struck wounds in my body.

With the drummer of the Lord of the Norse god Thor is meant, the mortal enemy of the giants. For his failure to appear at the festival, rewarded the troll the farmers bear ample and handsome, and gave him as much gold as he could.

Medieval Week

Once in the Middle Ages lived in Gotland again. It is the Medieval Week in August. Seven days is all ages on their feet and take on the traditional medieval clothes.

Piper

Lone flute player, but still full of leisure in it.

Beggar

Everything is on the legs, musicians, jugglers and beggars and beggar are not lacking. The beggar looks so real here, never wants to reach into his pocket and give something.

The outcast

Also, the outcasts have their place, a bit shy and withdrawn but no less of pleasure. What the two but so exhilarated and what they whisper here so, ladies and gentlemen, here comes my camera but then its performance limit.

Woman in costume and baby mediated

Medieval ....., makes you thirsty very thirsty!

Breastfeeding women in medieval garb

.... and is it even smaller, so you can drink liquid then in another form.

Archeology

Even if you have read the words as often,

.... which is historically still in the dark!

or

.... here, the archaeologists still puzzled!

or

... Inform the archaeologists do not have any interpretation or explanation!

so you should not have an opinion, archeology can not do anything in Sweden.

NO, the opposite is the case. Archaeology has - particularly in recent years - made huge in Sweden. Nevertheless - the above formulation I may be permitted - is still very much in the historical dark. A science feels only be confirmed if they have secure and incontestable evidence and findings. But this is still in many cases not the case and needs further analysis and more precise investigations.

Downright controversial the discussion is about the grinding grooves, sometimes to the degenerate into personal animosity. Recent studies have shown that the grinding grooves were probably created with a large pendant or a large rotating wheel. With modern methods of measurement could be observed by the bowstring of the grinding groove and the diameter of the pendulum or wheel. Is properly resolved only that the grinding grooves not come from one activity to sharpen the swords. This are the images found grinding completely different than how they would create sharpening of blades and swords.

Hobby

Almost evryone deals with a hobby and exercised thereby leisure activities. It is an nevertheless a subject, which arranges recovery, joy and relaxation a large extent for one.

For me it is the photography. It is - to keep a picture in my memory - almost and outstanding complement to the experienced and perceived. Above all, on vacation, traveling, be it on walks an meetings is a camera almost indispensable.

All too quickly faded namely a memory and then it`s all well and good to refresh what they saw and experienced with an image viewer again.

If then even a particulary good photo, as it were a direct hit, so we can say with good reason:

To have been exactly at the right time and at the right place!

No place is boring, if you have sleep off and have the bag full of unexposed film.

Robert Adams

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