Stora Hästnäs is an estate on the island
Gotland
Gotland (, ; ''Gutland'' in Gutnish), also historically spelled Gottland or Gothland (), is Sweden's largest island. It is also a province, county, municipality, and diocese. The province includes the islands of Fårö and Gotska Sandön to the ...
, not far from
Visby
Visby () is an urban area in Sweden and the seat of Gotland Municipality in Gotland County on the island of Gotland with 24,330 inhabitants . Visby is also the episcopal see for the Diocese of Visby. The Hanseatic city of Visby is arguably th ...
, Sweden. It is known mainly for its well preserved
medieval era
In the history of Europe, the Middle Ages or medieval period lasted approximately from the late 5th to the late 15th centuries, similar to the post-classical period of global history. It began with the fall of the Western Roman Empire a ...
stone house dating from the 1300s. It is the most well-preserved medieval residential building on Gotland outside Visby.
History
The medieval limestone building is four stories tall and decorated with
crow-stepped gable
A stepped gable, crow-stepped gable, or corbie step is a stairstep type of design at the top of the triangular gable-end of a building. The top of the parapet wall projects above the roofline and the top of the brick or stone wall is stacked in a ...
s. A three-window gallery adorns the southern façade, and above it a door designed to bring merchandise and supplies to the top, storage floor. Originally the presently visible building was only the middle section of a considerably larger building.
The medieval building has a basement and a ground floor which contained living quarters and a fireplace.
A round archway leads into the first floor. The entrance gate shows traces of having been decoratively sculpted. Above it, a room that looks out the three windows on the south façade was probably used as living quarters during the summer months, and for festivities. Above it lies the top story, reserved for storage.
The building is similar in style to contemporary city houses in Visby, and may have been commissioned by a Visby burgher living on the countryside. In 1925 a restoration was carried out with elements of reconstruction. It is a listed building and is privately owned. However, for visitors it is accessible.
Gallery
Gotland-Stora Hästnäs 01.jpg , Medieval era stone house
Gotland-Stora Hästnäs 02.jpg, Three-window gallery
Gotland-Stora Hästnäs 03.jpg, Round archway
See also
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Katthamra
Katthamra (''Katthamra gård'') is a manor house located at Katthammarsvik in Östergarn on the island Gotland, Sweden. Apart from the main building, several annexes and a garden belong to the estate. The main building has undergone several renova ...
References
External links
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Stora Hastnas
Manor houses in Sweden
Buildings and structures in Gotland County