Tingstäde: History and Nature

Tingstäde is considered an ancient cultural landscape. When planning your stay, you can focus on building and local history, or on nature and the waters of Tingstäde träsk. If you are looking for a hotel in Tingstäde, you can choose one that suits your travel interests in these themes. The historic sites differ in age and function; other interests include the swimming area, nature reserve, and natural spring.

Fortress and Local History

Tingstäde Fortress consists of five redoubts and was completed in time for the First World War. Redoubt 1 has many rooms and long underground passageways. Two aspects help put it into context: its division into five redoubts, and the underground area with Redoubt 1’s rooms and passageways. The Gotland Defence Museum is now housed in several buildings at Förrådsgården. Havremagasinet was built as a grain store in 1902.

The tower of Tingstäde Church was completed around 1300 and is 55 meters high. Tingstäde was the historic courthouse for northern Gotland. Tingstäde Church was one of three sanctuary churches on Gotland; a manslayer could seek refuge there for 40 days. Polhemsgården was the family home where the inventor Polhem spent his childhood. Danielssons Torp is a restored poorhouse dating back to the early 18th and 19th centuries.

The timeline spans the tower, built around 1300, Havremagasinet, built in 1902, and the fortress, completed in time for the First World War. The tower and fortress represent different building periods; the courthouse and sanctuary church point to earlier public functions, while Polhemsgården and Danielssons Torp add other aspects of local history.

Nature at Tingstäde träsk

The swimming area at Tingstäde träsk has a short sandy beach and a jetty. The wooden remains of Bulverket can be seen from the water’s surface and from the air. Kayaks and boats can be rented to explore the lake; check availability before your trip. The eastern shore of Tingstäde träsk offers favorable growing conditions for 27 orchid species. Grodvät is a 37-hectare nature reserve and Natura 2000 site on the eastern shore of the lake.

There are different ways to experience the water: the swimming area with its beach and jetty, Bulverket with its visible wooden remains, and the option of exploring the lake by kayak or boat. Nature enthusiasts can also take an interest in the conditions for orchids on the eastern shore and the nature reserve located there.

A nature trail to the Kutkäldu spring starts behind Polhemsgården. Kutkäldu is a natural spring with a shelter. Bus route 20 toward Visby and Fårösund can be reached from three bus stops in Tingstäde. Check the route and stops again before you travel.

Discover more destinations: Stenkyrka, Väte, Vamlingbo, När, Sanda, Gothem, Dalhem, Burgsvik

For the broader travel overview: Gotland.