About Vispy, Gotland
Visby is a town on the Swedish island of Gotland in the Baltic Sea.
It’s 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 restaurants. The Hanseatic city of Visby
is arguably the best-preserved medieval city in Scandinavia and since
1995, it is on the UNESCO World Heritage Site list. Among the most
notable historical remains are the 3.4 km long town wall that encircles
the town center, and a number of church ruins.
Visby is a popular vacation destination for Scandinavians during the
summer and receives thousands of tourists every year. It is by far the
most populated locality outside the Swedish mainland. The University of
Gotland is in Visby, and since 1 July 2013, it is a department of
Uppsala University under the name Uppsala university–Campus
Gotland. Visby is also the sole county seat in Sweden only accessible
by boat and air.
Overview
Visby is the capital of Gotland, Sweden’s beautiful ‘holiday
island’, famous for its soft sandy beaches, dramatic cliffs,
distinctive grey-fleeced sheep and wild orchids (more than 35 varieties
of them, at the last count).
It also has a fascinating history, having been inhabited for more than
7,000 years and invaded by 13th Century Germans (who left behind some
spectacular medieval churches) and then by Danes, only reverting to
Swedish rule in the mid 17th Century.
Visby itself, which lies on Gotland’s northwest coast, is the jewel of
the island and testament to its rich history – a UNESCO World Heritage
Site and one of Sweden’s best-preserved medieval cities (complete with
ancient walls).
It has the feel of a real seaside resort and is a truly delightful
place to spend a few hours in, boasting some spectacular church ruins,
very pretty Botanical Gardens, a few historic houses and an interesting
museum – as well as a sparkling seafront, some excellent craft shops
and good cafés and restaurants.
Come here with a go-getting rubbernecking agenda and you might be
disappointed that there’s not more to it. On the other hand, if you
view a day here as a chance to kick back, mosey around and smell the
roses (which proliferate – thanks to its clement climate – until very
late autumn) and you’ll have a truly lovely time and experience the
laid-back Swedish lifestyle at its best.
Attractions and Activities
Visby is situated on the central west coast of Gotland, on the
rather steep slopes of limestone cliffs surrounding the first natural
harbour. The town has evolved around the medieval harbour that now
constitutes the Almedalen park. Long streets run parallel with the old
shoreline with shorter alleys at a straight angle from these, lead from
the harbor and up the slope up to the eastern higher part of town known
as Klinten.
The old, original part of Visby is well worth edxploring. It is more or
less enclosed by the city wall to the north, east and south, with the
old harbour and the Baltic Sea in the west. The more modern parts of
the town expand mostly east and inland from the wall. Along the shore
south of the wall is the modern harbor with its ferry terminals and
further south is a green recreational area called Sodra Hallarna. Just
inside the north part of the wall as well as along the north coast
outside the wall, are several beaches: Kallbadhuset, Norderstrand,
Snackgardsbaden and Gustavsvik. Visby and Tallinn are the only two
North-European towns in which the city’s medieval grid plan has been
fully preserved into present day.
In August, the tourist season is at its peak. During week 32, from
Sunday to Sunday, the annual Medieval Week on Gotland is held. During
this week regularly dressed tourists are outnumbered by people dressed
in Medieval costumes. The festival started in 1984. There are a variety
of events: music, jesters, theatre, a medieval market, jousting
tournaments and much more.
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