Kyllaj hamn
Old lime harbour in Hellvi parish on Gotland, with preserved lime kilns, lime barns and a quay, operating as a freely accessible open-air museum.
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About the museum
Kyllaj hamn is today a small boat harbour, but for several hundred years the place was an important shipping harbour for lime. From the early 17th century to the early 20th century, burnt lime was shipped from here. The limestone was quarried nearby and driven to the harbour by horse or ox and cart. The lime was stored in large lime barns (kalklador) by the harbour, slaked with water and packed in barrels before ships carried it to harbours around the Baltic Sea.
The hexagonal lime kiln just above the bathing place was built in the early 19th century. The last kiln, built of brick and fired with coal, was completed in 1903. Lime burning ceased around 1906, and with it the commercial shipping from the harbour. Two lime kilns are well preserved, and there are smaller remains and ruins of older kilns.
The open-air museum includes the harbour basin, the pier and the mooring dolphins (dykdalber) in the water that were used when loading lime, three ruins of lime barns, rails and a number of smaller remains. By the car park there is an information board about the former lime quarrying. The harbour is run by the non-profit association Kyllaj Hamnförening (Kyllaj Harbour Association), which is affiliated with Arbetslivsmuseernas samarbetsråd (the Working Life Museums Cooperation Council).
Highlights
- Two well-preserved lime kilns, including a hexagonal one from the early 19th century
- Three ruins of lime barns and traces of older kilns
- Harbour basin, pier and mooring dolphins from the lime shipments
- Information board about lime quarrying by the car park
- Freely accessible open-air museum that is always open
Permanent exhibition
- Kalkhamnen Kyllaj – Open-air museum with harbour, pier, two lime kilns, three ruins of lime barns and smaller remains from the lime industry.
- Operated by
- Kyllaj Hamnförening
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
Visits to the museum are free of charge.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
By car
Parking available
Car park by the harbour with an information board about lime quarrying.
Amenities & dining
The association's Lotsbod (Pilot's Hut) has a barbecue place and can be rented for events of up to 30 people.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Good to know | Visitors are asked to consider the birdlife along the shores, especially during the breeding season. |
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