Country Sweden County Gotland County Time zone CET (UTC+1) Area 12.2 km² | Province Gotland Municipality Gotland Municipality Website www.vastergarn.info Population 169 (2014) | |
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1997 07 25 buskspel v stergarn p gotland
Västergarn is a settlement on the Swedish island of Gotland. Formerly a socken, on 1 January 2016, it was reconstituted into the administrative area Västergarn District.
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Truxor dm 5000 cuts the reeds in the bay outside v stergarn gotland august 2015
Geography
Västergarn is the name of the socken, now district. It is also the name of the small village surrounding the medieval Västergarn Church, sometimes referred to as Västergarn kyrkby or as Västergarn and Stora Mafrids in official documentation after an administrative merger of the two settlements. It is situated on the central west coast of Gotland.
Close by the coast in Västergarn is the former bay, now lake Paviken with its bird reserve. About 2 km (1.2 mi) off the coast is the 50 ha (120 acres) Västergarns utholme island.
Smaklösa Museum
Right by the coast road in Västergarn is one of Gotland's smallest museums (57°26′13.2″N 18°08′41.9″E). Lodged in an old gas station, it is dedicated to the Gotlandic, slightly eccentric music group Smaklösa. The name literally means "Flavourless", but also "Tasteless" or "Tacky". The latter meaning is intended here as indicated by the name of their own record label "Tasteless Records". Since their start in 1974, the band has achieved cult status with dedicated followers both on and off the island. The band is known for its cleverly phrased lyrics, distaste for rehearsals and odd places to perform. They often make fun of other music events or shows and interpret things their own way. In 2006, they received Gotland Municipality's Culture Award.
On 28 July 1978, Swedish astronomer Claes-Ingvar Lagerkvist discovered an asteroids in the asteroid belt, which he named 7545 Smaklösa, after the band. A summer resident on Gotland, Lagerkvist has stated that he is an avid Smaklösa fan.