In Fleringe, the history of the stone industry meets a distinctive musical tradition. In Bläse, a historic train ride and a museum take you back to the days of limestone quarrying; Groddagården offers insights into Gotland’s architectural history and the history of music. Nature lovers can also discover characteristic landscapes and observe wildlife in the Bästeträsk Nature Reserve.
Limestone history in Bläse
The Stentåget offers a historic round trip by locomotive and stone wagon to an old quarry that has since filled with water. The route is 1.7 kilometres long, and the ride takes about 40 minutes. These details give you a concrete guide for planning your time: the train ride is a clearly defined activity, while the Kalkbruksmuseet offers a separate way to explore the history of the place.
The museum in Bläse showcases Gotland’s stone industry and offers insights into the lives and working conditions of the workers. It tells not only of the extraction and processing of stone, but also of the people whose daily lives were tied to the industry. Limestone burning at Bläse Kalkbruk began in the 1860s and ended in 1946.
Groddagården: architecture and music
The well-preserved Groddagården offers a glimpse into Gotland’s architectural history and a chapter in the history of people and music. A visit to the church grounds in Fleringe also offers a different perspective on traditional architectural forms: the surviving church stables, church gate and churchyard wall, together with the church, make up a unique church setting on Gotland.
Groddagården is associated with a remarkable musical history. Grodd-Jaken and his brothers often gathered all the folk musicians from northern Gotland there to play together. A hurdy-gurdy associated with Groddagården is Sweden’s best-preserved instrument of its kind. The Groddalira, played by the musicians at Groddagården in Fleringe, has a violin-shaped body whose form was influenced by German tradition. The possibility that it may have been made in Sweden remains just that—a possibility, not a certainty.
A digital 3D model from the Gotlands Museum lets you explore the Groddalira up close. This makes it possible to examine the instrument’s shape in greater detail, even as you first learn about its history. There is a car park and an information board next to Groddagården to help you find your way around.
Bästeträsk Nature Reserve
Bästeträsk Nature Reserve encompasses the 665-hectare Lake Bästeträsk and more than 800 hectares of surrounding landscape. This includes forests, wetlands, alvar limestone plains and pebble beaches. The area offers a chance to experience characteristic Gotland wilderness. White-tailed eagles and golden eagles can be found there.
The Blå lagunen limestone quarry is also located in Bästeträsk Nature Reserve. Its clear blue water gives it its name; stone has been quarried in the area for centuries. The limestone industry, musical culture and natural landscape each offer a distinct way to explore the themes associated with Fleringe.
Discover more destinations: Fårö, Klintehamn, Väte, Stånga, Slite, Lummelunda, Dalhem, Väskinde
Return to the main travel overview: Gotland.
