Västergarn

Västergarn is a locality and historic socken on the island of Gotland, Sweden. It lies on the northwest coast of Gotland, along the Baltic Sea, and is part of Gotland Municipality in Gotland County. The area is mainly rural, with scattered farms and small residences, and its coastline features rocky shores and sheltered bays.

The socken represents a traditional parish area that has served as an ecclesiastical and civil unit in the region’s history. The parish church, Västergarns kyrka, is a notable landmark dating from the medieval period. It belongs to the Church of Sweden and lies within the Diocese of Visby, reflecting Gotland’s rich heritage of medieval churches.

In contemporary administration, Västergarn is encompassed by Gotland Municipality. Transport is primarily by road, and Gotland’s lack of a passenger rail network means travel to Visby and other towns is typically by bus or car. The village and surrounding countryside form part of Gotland’s cultural landscape, characterized by a long local history and a landscape shaped by farming and coastal processes.

Västergarn’s coastal and rural setting makes it representative of Gotland’s smaller communities, which preserve historic parish connections while adapting to modern needs. The area is associated with the broader tradition of Gotland’s churches, agricultural heritage, and coastal geography, contributing to the island’s distinctive regional identity.