It’s Friday the 13th, and I just found out Gotland has its own version of a supernatural omen: not a black cat, but a black ram — and honestly, that feels right for this island.
According to local legend, a giant svart bagge (black ram) roams old churchyards and mossy ruins across Gotland. Sometimes it’s seen as a guardian spirit, but more often, it’s a bad sign — showing up before storms, tragedies, or when someone’s disturbed something best left alone.
The most famous sightings are tied to abandoned cemeteries and broken walls. The ram appears silently, stares, and vanishes. No sound. No footprints. Just a heavy feeling like you’ve stepped too close to something ancient that still remembers you. Gotland folklore says never to follow it. Not unless you want to end up part of the legend.
Will I see it when I’m in Visby this August? Probably not.
Do I kind of hope I do? …Maybe.
Because here’s the thing: history is nice, but mystery? Mystery gives a place teeth.
Swedish Word of the Day: Bagge (noun) – ram 🐏
(När baggen visar sig, är något på väg att förändras. – When the ram appears, something is about to change.)
📸 Have you ever seen (or snapped) the Black Ram of Gotland?
Share your photos or experiences—let’s uncover the legend together.
Swedish Wanderlust 