Gotska Sandön, National park island in Baltic Sea, Sweden.
Gotska Sandön is a national park island in the Baltic Sea featuring approximately 8 kilometers of sandy terrain mixed with pine forests and gravel areas. The shoreline stretches about 30 kilometers and offers exposed dunes, woodland, and open sandy expanses.
The island served as a maritime harbor during medieval times and later became an agricultural settlement focused on sheep and cattle raising in the 17th century. These shifts reflect how the community adapted to the island's resources and geography.
The reconstructed 1894 chapel remains a place where visitors can observe the religious life that shaped the island's community. The building reflects how spiritual practice connected people to this isolated location.
The island is accessible only by ferry from Nynäshamn or Fårösund during the summer season. Book in advance as ferry capacity is limited and schedules depend on weather conditions.
An automated lighthouse standing 24 meters tall operated until 1970 and remains a striking landmark on the flat landscape. The structure serves as a reminder of the island's role in guiding ships through Baltic waters.
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