Visby, Gotland Island, Sweden
ABOUT
Visby is a town on the Swedish island of Gotland in the Baltic Sea and has a fascinating history. The earliest history is uncertain, but it is known to have been a centre of merchandise around 900 AD. It was inhabited as early as the Stone Age, probably because of the access to fresh water and a natural harbour.
As a commercial centre it thrived from its early days. But this also brought with it various disputes and even a civil war in the Middle Ages. Changes to governance continued until Medieval times. Since the Treaty of Bromsebro in 1645 the Island of Gotland has remained under Swedish rule.
Visby is known for its well-preserved town wall, a medieval fortification incorporating defensive towers. The town’s many churches include the grand, centuries-old St. Mary’s Cathedral and the medieval ruins of St. Nicolai and St. Karin. The main square, Stora Torget, has cobblestone streets lined with cafes and restaurnts.
The town of Visby was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995.
Population in 2024 is approximately 23,600
Currency is the Swedish Krona.
THINGS TO DO
The long history of Visby is probably enough to give most people plenty to do. However for those who need a little more, its worth looking at some options available.
There are hop-on-hop-off bus services that tour the town and enable you to get on and off at various highlights. Some tours also include a boat tour.
There are walking tours of the town, boat tours of the harbour area that can be booked quite readily.
You can visit a nature reserve, the Gotland Museum and the Botanical Gardens (entry is free to the latter).
There are cafes and bars around the town with the majority concentrated in the main square, Stora Torget.
By far the most popular thing to do is to explore the church ruins and medieval walls throughout the town. Streets are narrow and at times a little steep but the 10 ruins in the town are in close proximity to each other. There is a self guided church ruins walking tour available on line.
OUR FAVOURITE THINGS TO DO
Our first visit to Visby was quite an eye opener. It was a port that we had scarcely heard of but is quite lovely. On both of our visits we have been blessed with good weather and have taken the opportunity to explore on our own.
As mentioned above, Visby is quite an easy town to get around. Please be aware that there are some hills within the town and some cobbled streets too.
A short shuttle bus ride into a central point makes getting to the town very easy – although you can also walk it if you prefer. The drop off point is beside a lovely little park welcoming you to the town. You will find that this park will lead you through to one of the entry points through the old city walls.
Almedalen is an area of Visby that provided shelter for traders and fishermen even in pre-historic times.
Visby has a wealth of buildings that are quite traditional in appearance. Many have been converted for modern-day use or as residential properties. They all retain their original character as much as possible. As you stroll through the streets you will also come across little squares which add to the asthetics of Visby.
Our journey through the town took us past some of the many churches. Rather than take a formal tour via a local map we just wandered and found them. Mostly ruins and centuries old, most have interesting stories and useful information plaques nearby. To anyone with an interest in history or photography they are fascinating. Some of those that we saw are detailed below.
The Holy Spirit Church is octagonal and the only one of its kind in Sweden.
Built in around 1200 it was thought to have been a meeting place for pilgrims and crusaders. It also had an infirmary attached.
The upper parts of the church were destroyed by fire in 1611 and the remainder turned into a barn and cowshed.
St Clement’s Church was built in the 1200’s on the site that had been a place of worship for 200 years.
One of Visby’s oldest and largest churches.
After the Reformation the church was abandoned and used as a cowshed and a much of its stone was used in other buildings.
Drottens Church was built around 1240 as a parish church.
During the Reformation, in 1528, it was looted and abandoned.
Over the centuries it fell into disrepair and all that remains are the walls and imposing tower.
Now known as Drottens Ruin – an old Norse word for ruler or god.
St Olaf’s was built in the early 1200’s and dedicated to King Olaf Haraldsson of Norway.
Originally a basilica it had a tall nave and lower north and south ailes.
It was demolished in the Middle Ages and the stone used elsewhere in Visby.
The Visby City Wall is the strongest, most extensive and well preserved medieval city wall in Scandinavia.
Built in two stages during the 13th and 14th century, approximately 3.44 km (2.14 mi) of its original 3.6 km (2.2 mi) still stands. Of the 29 large and 22 smaller towers, 27 large and 9 small remain. A number of houses that predate the wall were incorporated within it during one of the two phases of construction. During the 18th century, fortifications were added to the wall in several places and some of the towers rebuilt to accommodate cannons.
You come upon parts of this wall almost around every turn and it is fascinating to see how it blends into today’s way of life.
Our walk through Visby then led us on to its Botanical Gardens. First laid out in 1855 the garden has undergone multiple stages of development, with a major renovation taking place in the 1930s that has shaped its current, captivating design.
Its been created with aspects such as beauty, architecture, plants and education in mind. Free to enter it is very peaceful and has various areas to walk through. It is even home to the final remains of St Olaf’s Church.
We had a lovely walk through the gardens and paused to enjoy the peace and tranquility before also enjoying some of the little streams running through. It is well worth a visit.
We ended our day in Stora Torget, or the Great Square in the centre of Visby. It is a large trading area adjacent to the ruins of St Katarina, or St Karins Cathedral. It has been the centre of trade in the town for many years. Today it boasts shops, bars and restaurants together with a small market. Recently updated it is a very pleasant place to enjoy a beverage, some local food and watch the world go by.
Some other favourite views of the shoreline
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