Pilgrimage walking track

From S:t Olofsholm to Visby (or reverse)

T he track goes from coast to coast.

S:t Olofsholm, or Akergarn, is the place that gives identity to the track. It is said to be the spot where king Olav of Norway, Olav Haraldsson (later Saint Olof), landed sometime around 1029 AC with his longboats and according to very late legends made the Gotlandic people Christians.

Even if there already were many Christians on Gotland when Olav arrived we know that a chapel was built on this site to his honour around 200 years after this occasion. According to Gutasagan a small chapel was built already during his stay on Gotland.

T he track follows roads and paths that have been in use since the days of Saint Olof. The chapel at S:t Olofsholm (Akergarn) had an altar where visitors and pilgrims offered money. The offerings were then shared between the parish in Hellvi and the Nunery of Solberga, in Visby. Every year the sisters of Solberga sent persons on the journey to Akergarn to get the share of the Nunery. The main parts of this track follows the road that probalby has been used on these occasions.

More information about the churches along the track can be found at http://www.stavar.i.se/churches/mapindexeng.html  

The track passes many important cultural and botanical sites. Information about them and the churches can be found in any bookshop on Gotland.  

We wish you a blessed pilgrimage!