Lojsta | |
|---|---|
 Lojsta Church | |
  Lojsta | |
| Coordinates:57°18′46″N18°23′2″E / 57.31278°N 18.38389°E /57.31278; 18.38389 | |
| Country | Sweden |
| Province | Gotland |
| County | Gotland County |
| Municipality | Gotland Municipality |
| Area | |
• Total | 22 km2 (8 sq mi) |
| Population (2014)[2] | |
• Total | 103 |
| Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+2 (CEST) |
Lojsta is a populated area, asocken (not to be confused withparish), on the Swedish island ofGotland.[3] It comprises the same area as theadministrative Lojsta District, established on 1 January 2016.[4]
Therift valley landscape of Lojsta is unusual for Gotland and the area contains the highest point, as well as some of the deepest lakes, on the island. Sweden's only native wildponies have their natural habitat in an animal reserve in Lojsta.
Lojsta is the name of a larger area surroundingmedievalLojsta Church,[5] the Lojsta socken. Lojsta is north ofHemse in the middle of southern Gotland. The forested north part of the socken, the Lojsta Heath, contains the highest hills on Gotland. The highest point has an elevation of 83 m (272 ft). The southern part of Lojsta has farmed land in the valleys between thelimestone cliffs.[1][6][7] In the east, the landscape is peculiar for Gotland, with high almost vertical cliffs by theLojsta Lakes.[8]
The Tonnklint Nature Reserve and theLojsta prästänge are situated in Lojsta.[9]
As of 2019[update], Lojsta Church belongs to Lojstaparish in Fardhemspastorat.[10][11]
The main part of this forested moor is in Lojsta, but it also reaches into the neighboringEtelhem,Klinte andFröjel sockens. The area is mainly gravel and sand deposited there by the movingice sheet during the latestIce age.[12] 650 ha (1,600 acres) of the moor is classified as an animal reserve for the wildGotland ponies (Gotlandsrussen) living there. These ponies are the only breed of ponies native to Sweden.[13]
The name comes fromlojst orlojstar, which means "flat land", "flat barren plain". However, it is uncertain which place it refers to.[14][7]
Lojsta dates back toMedieval times. It was originally part of the Fardhemthing, which in turn was in the southernmost of the three original districts (similar toridings) that Gotland was divided into during the Middle Ages. In 1862, it became an independent municipality. In 1952, it was incorporated into theHemse municipality and in 1971, all of Gotland became onemunicipality.[15] Theboatswains from Lojsta under theallotment system, were part of the Second Gotlandic Boatswains Company.[16]
There are several small grave fields from theIron Age in Lojsta as well as house foundations, collapsed stone walls and stones withgrooves.[17] Tworune inscriptions have been found by the church and oneViking silver treasure as well as a goldbracteate have also been found within the socken.[15][6][18][19] Although named after Lojsta, the defence-structureLojsta Castle and theLojsta Hall, a reconstruction of an Iron Agelonghouse, are situated in the neighboringStånga socken.[19]
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