The fossil-rich limestone, which can be polished but is sensitive to acids, is used in Germany, for example, in the Swedish embassy in Berlin and Lübeck Cathedral.
One of the 17 stations along the new subway ring in Copenhagen is clad in Gotland limestone. Photo: Naturstein Wolf
Naturstein Wolf is the general importer of limestone in Germany. Photo: Naturstein Wolf
It is suitable for both indoor and outdoor use and is relatively hard for a limestone. Photo: Naturstein Wolf.
Fossil-rich, cream to gray, polishable
Gotland limestone is part of the cultural heritage of the entire Baltic Sea region. The Swedish Stone Industry Association has therefore named it Stone of the Year 2020. “The idea behind the nomination is both to pay attention to a fantastic building material and to place the stone in a historical context,” says Kai Marklin, Chairman of the Swedish Stone Industry Association.
Sweden was close to the equator 400 million years ago: today’s island of Gotland was a coral reef with shells, fauna and sponges. They can be found as fossil impressions in the limestone. In the early Middle Ages, Gotland’s strategic location and unique limestone made it the center of the stone trade in the Baltic Sea region.
In Germany, Naturstein Wolf is the general importer of the sedimentary rock (and sends out the exact data sheets if required). Gotland limestone is polishable, acid-sensitive and comes in three varieties: “Norrvange”, “Södervange” and “Kappelshamn”. It ranges in color from cream to grey, fossils such as shells and corrals are clearly visible. In the Baltic region, it can be found, for example, at St. Peter’s Church, the SEB Bank, St. Mary’s Church, the cathedral and the town hall courtyard in Lübeck, as well as at the Zeughaus and Schnabbelhaus in Wismar and at the town hall and Nicolai Church in Rostock.