Romakloster – Monastic History, Pilgrimsled and Klosteränge

Monastic history as the defining heart of the locality

For a choice between cultural history and hiking, Romakloster offers two clearly documented focal points. Roma kloster was founded in 1163 or 1164 by monks from Nydala kloster at the site of the Gotland assembly Gutnaltinget. The medieval name of the monastery was Monasterium Beatae Mariae Gutnaliae. Together with Roma kungsgård, the history of the site stretches back more than 900 years.

Particularly impressive is Roma klosterkyrka: a monumental three-aisled ruin with a well-preserved portal on the west façade. The present main building and the two wings of Roma kungsgård were built in 1733. Material from the walls and buildings of the monastery complex was used for the construction. Thus, at this historic site, the medieval monastery ruins and a later manor house are linked in a documented context.

The main building of Roma Kungsgård houses a permanent cultural history exhibition produced by Gotlands Museum. It complements the view of the monastery's history with an exhibition on site. Roma kyrka, built at the end of the 12th century, also forms part of the historical context. Five imposing avenues of elm and maple trees lead to Roma kungsgård and give the approach a clearly recognizable landscape character.

Hiking along the Pilgrimsled

If you would like to combine your stay with a hike, the Pilgrimsled begins at Tillåtelsens kapell at Roma kungsgård. The route runs along the railway tracks between Roma and the Hesselby museijärnväg in Dalhem. At approximately seven kilometres in length and with an estimated duration of two hours and 30 minutes on easy terrain, it offers a specifically described route option for an active day. The time stated is explicitly an estimate; likewise, the stated length is approximate.

Another historical trail leads to the Gotlands Hesselby Jernväg in Roma. This line is 6.5 kilometres long in total and was inaugurated on 14 May 2015. The railway aims to run Gotland trains in an authentic setting and thereby create the illusion of times gone by. It therefore adds a consciously historical purpose to the railway theme, without any current timetable or specific operating service being inferable from this.

Klosteränge and the surrounding nature

In the vicinity of Roma lies Klosteränge, a deciduous woodland area covering almost 30 hectares. It is home to one of the largest stands of old oaks on Gotland. The woodland is also rich in bird species. Among others, stock doves, jackdaws, starlings, nuthatches and red-breasted flycatchers breed in the hollows of old oaks and ash trees. Those who wish to explore the natural side of the surroundings alongside the architectural and ecclesiastical history will find a clearly distinct second theme here.

Klosteränge formerly belonged to the extensive lands of Roma kloster. This historical status should be distinguished from the present-day description of the deciduous woodland area.

More destinations for orientation

Other places on Gotland include Hejde, Kappelshamn, Slite, Lummelunda, Klintehamn, Ljugarn, Stånga and Väskinde.

For the higher-level travel overview: Gotland.