Kulturstig - Västergarnsvallen

The medieval, semi-circular, city wall is still visible in the landscape. It delimited the central, medieval parts of Västergarn from the surrounding land but with an openness to the coast.

The area around Paviken and Västergarn, together with Kronholmen, is an extensive area that reflects the importance of the port and trade during the Late Iron Age and the Middle Ages. In terms of port, trade and urban growth during this period, this area is one of the most significant.

Västergarn

History is clearly expressed in the town rampart, the medieval church and the ruins of the former church and castle.

The city wall is believed to have been built around the year 1000 and surrounded Västergarn itself. It is about 1 km long. The wall may have been up to 3 meters high and as wide at the bottom. Recent archaeological investigations inside the city wall show that there has been a relatively extensive settlement from the 12th to the 16th century. There are no similar structures on Gotland and the closest parallels are the city wall around Birka's Black Earth.

Adjacent to the eastern part of the rampart are the ruins of the former large Romanesque church. Right next to it is the church built in the 1250s. That church actually only consists of a chancel. Difficult economic times may have prevented the church from being completed.