Gamle hamn, Fårö, Medieval harbor ruins on Fårö, Sweden.
Gamle Hamn sits in the northeastern part of Fårö and is a nature reserve containing a narrow inland lake where a deep harbor once existed. The lake occupies roughly 90 meters in length and represents the transformed remains of a medieval waterway.
The harbor transformed during the 14th century when major storms created beach ridges that blocked water access from the north. This natural change turned the working port into the inland lake visible today.
The site displays layers of different periods, including burial mounds from the Viking Age and remains of a medieval chapel. Visitors can observe how the graves are arranged in a specific orientation, revealing burial customs and religious practices from centuries past.
The reserve is easily accessible on foot and provides basic facilities including parking and rest areas for visitors. Most people need only a few hours to explore the grounds and view the various historical features.
Archaeological finds revealed oyster shells and medieval pottery from distant regions in the sand at the lake bottom. These discoveries show the harbor once had trading connections that reached far beyond the Baltic Sea.
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