The Monoliths of Gotland, between ancestral mists and secrets engraved in stone

Some places, when you look at them, seem to come out of TV series and fantasy films, but they really exist: this is the case of Gotland, the largest island in Sweden where the wind carries ancient whispers and the mists of the Baltic reveal landscapes with a mythological flavor. Among the natural wonders not to be missed are the monoliths of Gotland , one of the reasons why tourists decide to take a trip to visit it. Also known as raukar , these mysterious figures stand almost like solitary guardians along the coasts of the island. Ancient, sculptural, as disturbing as they are majestic, they have a lot to tell.

The charm of the raukar, the monoliths of Gotland

We know them as the Gotland monoliths but the locals call them raukar : these are limestone formations that emerged during the last Ice Age when the sea, retreating, left these natural sculptures to emerge and then eroded over time. It would be reductive, however, to see them only as geological phenomena. Seen up close, especially when the sky is gray and the wind blows, they have something mystical, so much so that in ancient times they were linked to legends. Each monolith seems to tell a different story: some resemble human profiles, others mythological creatures and still others broken columns, but they all share an aura of mystery and solemnity.

Some of these have even earned a nickname. The most famous? Hoburgsgubben , or “the old man of Hoburgen,” whose profile resembles a human face peering out into the sea. According to legend, he was an ancient guardian petrified by the gods for trying to unravel the mysteries of the sea.

Then there is Lergravsporten , an arched formation that looks like an open gateway to another world. According to belief, passing through it during sunrise or sunset means crossing the threshold between the real world and the dream world. One of the most impressive is located in the north of the island of Gotland : taking a ferry to Fårö you can observe the monoliths of Langhammars and Digerhuvud where an expanse of hundreds of figures truly leaves you speechless.

There are those who look at them and photograph them. Those who study them. But there are also those who stop in silence, listen to them. Because the raukar do not speak, but communicate. They are symbols of the passing of time, of a geological patience that challenges the anxiety of the present. Seeing them at dawn, when the fog slowly dissolves and the first lights dye the stone pink and gold, is an almost mystical moment.

An enchanting place located not far from the city of Visby with a landscape that becomes almost “lunar”: the limestone monoliths shaped by water and wind have resisted millions of years accumulating stories and legends related to their birth.

Where are the Gotland Monoliths and how to get there

The raukar, or monoliths of Gotland, are located along the northern and southern coast of the island of Gotland, the largest in the Scandinavian country . Their greatest expression is on the nearby island of Fårö , to the north and reachable by ferry in five minutes.

To visit them, you usually start from Visby, a characteristic village with colorful houses that recall the world of the Vikings and that of Nordic fairy tales. It is no coincidence that the famous Medieval Week event takes place right here, a town festival that transforms the historic center and attracts many tourists from Sweden and beyond.