Tomtbod fiskeläge

The fishing village of Tomtbod is located on the coastal meadows of Burs in southern Gotland. Today its old-fashioned buildings, which tell of Gotland's long fishing traditions, are protected as a listed building.

Gotland's farmers often owned a beach hut in a fishing village on the coast. As early as the 17th century, there are accounts of the fishing village Tomtbod Strandbod, which was later named Tomtbod. This was once a large fishing village that was also used by farmers in neighboring parishes.

The fishing village houses 32 sheds from different centuries. There are several old-fashioned sheds made of stone or bulk technology, and several have had tile roofs. They are built in both stone and wood with flat roofs. In the picture below you can see one of the sheds that still has the characteristic tile roof. Newer sheds are also available in timber, but these have been adapted in size and shape to the older ones.

The open space where the nets were hung to dry, the gistgarden, can still be seen. There is also a simple version of the lighthouse, the candlestick. It is a long and tall pole with an iron basket at the top. The light pole served an important role in helping fishermen navigate in the dark.

No fishing village on the island still has as many light poles as Tomtbod. There is a jetty in the middle of the fishing village. Outside, two simple breakwaters of gray stone bend.

When the fishing village was active, people gathered here for a few intense weeks in spring and fall. Here at Tomtbod you can see the remains of an active fishing village, the sheds were then mainly tool sheds. The chimneys reveal that some of the sheds have been furnished with fireplaces.

The fish caught were mainly herring, which were salted in barrels for daily use all year round.

The tools were made at home. The herring net was made from a mile and a half of spun flax thread tied into 34,000 knots. The rope at the top was made from horsehair or cowhair. The floats were made from bark and the sinks from stones that had been drilled, a time-consuming job that could take all winter to complete.

Good to know for visitors

• Parking, where the information sign is also located, is directly adjacent to the fishing village.
• The sheds are privately owned. Remember to show consideration and do not leave any rubbish.