Gothem (Swedish pronunciation:[ˈɡûːthɛm])[3] is a populated area, a socken (not to be confused with parish), on the Swedish island of Gotland.[4] It comprises the same area as the administrative Gothem District, established on 1January 2016.[5]
Geography
Gothem is the name of the socken as well as the district. It is also the name given to the small settlement close to the church in the socken, although that name is purely administrative and does not appear on maps. It is situated on the east coast of Gotland.[6] One of Gotland's major streams, Gothemsån, has its outflow at Åminne in Gothem.[7]
One of the largest Bronze Agecairns on Gotland, the Majsterrojr, is in Gothem. It is approximately 4 m (13 ft) high and 33 m (108 ft) in diameter and is surrounded by Bronze Age graves. It is situated on a small hill with stacks, that have also been used as building material for the cairn and the graves.[12]
References
^Carlquist, Gunnar, ed. (1947–1955). "Gothems socken". Svensk Uppslagsbok (in Swedish) (2nd ed.). Malmö: Förlagshuset Norden.
^The exact extent of the socken, now district, can be obtained by clicking on Kartinställningar and check the Socken box in the menu of this map from the Swedish National Heritage Board database.
