A Martina Eriksson House in the Gotland Pine Forest
Villa Rommunds sits in coastal pine and meadow on the east coast of Gotland, a short way inland from the Baltic, near Katthammarsvik and the old fishing village of Sjaustru. The owners built it as their family home, for themselves and their four children, with Gotland architect Martina Eriksson (of the Visby practice m.arkitektur), who took the region’s barn forms and remade them in timber, glass and local limestone. It sleeps 10 in four bedrooms.
Eriksson set the structure into a sheltered pocket out of the coastal wind, with deep overhangs and terraces that hold the sun and block the breeze, so the outdoor spaces still work in the cooler months. Timber cladding, glass walls, and Gotland limestone start outside and continue inside. The oak joinery was made for the home.
The space splits in two to accommodate a family of six. In the low east wing, each bedroom opens to its own outdoor nook and the morning sun. To the south and west, the two-level living space combines cooking, dining and sitting areas, and then opens onto the terraces.
Medieval Visby is an easy drive across the island, but if you want to stay close to home, we recommend walking or cycling to the limestone shore at Sjaustru. Then come back to the terraces for the afternoon sun, and cook Gotland lamb or fresh seafood in the outdoor kitchen while the summer light lingers late into the evening. In winter, the home is equally appealing but it turns inward, with the forest going dark beyond its glass walls.
Layout
Villa Rommunds sleeps up to 10 guests in four bedrooms, with two full bathrooms. The bedrooms are in a low east wing, each opening to its own outdoor nook. The open-plan living, dining and kitchen space is in a two-level core to the south and west, opening onto the sun terraces.
• Bedroom 1: King
• Bedroom 2: King
• Bedroom 3: King
• Bedroom 4: King and bunk bed, sleeps four
• Two full bathrooms
Good to know
Gotland is reached by ferry from Nynäshamn or Oskarshamn on the Swedish mainland, or by air to Visby, about 40 minutes’ drive away. Children are welcome. Pets are not allowed. Check-in is at 3pm. Check-out is at noon.
Amenities & services
Full kitchen, coffee maker, outdoor kitchen and dining area, outdoor barbecue, outdoor shower, sheltered south- and west-facing sun terraces, washer, dryer, TV, Wi-Fi, workspace, air conditioning, heating, toiletries, on-site parking, forest and meadow grounds.
Around
Villa Rommunds is on Gotland’s quieter east coast, near Katthammarsvik and the fishing village of Sjaustru, where wooden fishing huts, pebble shores and sandy Baltic swimming spots are minutes away. This side of the island is farm country and coast, with farm stands and bakeries around Östergarn. Medieval Visby, the UNESCO-listed walled town on the west coast, is an easy drive across the island. Gotland’s limestone sea stacks, the raukar, stand along stretches of its shore.
Location
Katthammarsvik, Gotland, Sweden. Nearest airport: Visby (VBY), about a 40-minute drive. Ferries run from Nynäshamn and Oskarshamn on the Swedish mainland to Visby.
Best time to visit
Late spring to early fall is the season for long days outdoors, with up to 18 hours of daylight around midsummer. Fall brings Gotland’s truffle season, and winter is quiet.
