Lau is a populated area, a socken (not to be confused with parish), on the Swedish island of Gotland.

It is situated south of Ljugarn on the east coast of Gotland, at Lau Cove (Lauviken).

When the Swedish Maritime Administration wanted to decommission it, the lighthouse was bought by the Lau Heritage Society since it was deemed vital for local pleasure crafts and fishermen.

The spring is the most prominent of several sources emerging from the water-rich limestone and gravel hills of Lau.

In 1918, the channels were replaced with iron pipes and a well house with a small fountain was built.

During the Bronze Age the isostasy elevated the land enough for a sand bank to form in the strait.

The area became more populated and people settled down on the side of the island facing Gotland and along the bank.

It is called Stavgard, a common name for places on Gotland where meetings were held during pre-Christian time.

[19] During that time a hillfort, the remains of which can still be seen, was built at Botvidebackar on the northern tip of Lausbackars.

[21] During the 1890s, several of the smaller farms and fields were merged into larger units due to new land reforms.

[23][6][24][25][7] Two of the stone ships and a round grave are situated at Bandeläins täppu on the edge of Lausbackar.