Visby

Visby is the largest city on the Swedish island of Gotland; it is arguably the best-preserved medieval city in Scandinavia and has been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Among the most notable historical remains are the 3.4 km long stone wall called Ringmuren ("the Ring Wall"), that encircles the city and the old church ruins. The name "Visby" comes from the Old Norse Vis, (genitive singular of Vi) meaning sacrificial place, and bær, meaning "farm" or "settlement". An alternate derivation would be from the Polish "wyspa" (pronounced "vis-pah") which means simply "island". Its population is 22,236 (2005), and it is the seat of the Governor of Gotland County. Like other towns and cities in Sweden, Visby is not a political or administrative entity of its own. It forms an integral part of Gotland Municipality, where it is the seat. The earliest history of Visby is uncertain, but it is known to have been a centre of merchandise around 900 AD. In the 12th century, Visby Cathedral, dedicated to Saint Mary, was constructed. It was reshaped in the 13th century to its current appearance. Several other churches were also constructed in the ensuing centuries. The city flourished thanks to the German Hanseatic League. Some affectionately call Visby the "city of roses and ruins" and natives to the island often just say "town". Whether it lives up to that distinction among other old Swedish cities is debatable.

In the first week of July, Visby is the scene of the Almedalen Week (Almedalsveckan), an important meeting place for everyone involved in Swedish politics. During the week, representatives from the major political parties in Sweden take turns giving speeches in the Almedalen park. In August the tourist season is at its peak. In week 32 from Sunday to Sunday the annual Medieval Week (Medeltidsveckan) is held. During this time regularly dressed tourists are outnumbered by people dressed in Medieval costumes. The festival started in 1984. There are a variety of events: music, jesters, theater, a medieval market, jousting tournaments and much more. Visby is linked to the mainland of Sweden by ferry. The three-hour ferry arrives from Oskarshamn near Kalmar and Nynäshamn near Stockholm.

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Last update: 19 Nov 2024 @ 12:26

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  • Hotel 12009-10-05

    Located in Visby, Gotland, Gotland, Sweden

    Hotel 1Hotel 1 is centrally and beautifully located in the middle of World Heritage city, Visby and offers wonderful views over the beautiful Almedalen and the sea. Hotel 1 have superior double rooms with small balconies facing the Baltic sea with nice sunsets in Visby. READ MORE

  • Hotell Gute 2009-10-05

    Located in Visby, Gotland, Gotland, Sweden

    Hotell Gute Situated in a world heritage site in the centre of medieval Visby the Hotell Gute offers rooms, apartments, conference facilities and a summer café and is close to shopping and museums and has 30 individually furnished, modern rooms in Visby. READ MORE

Featured Businesses

  • ArkeoDok Viking History Museum 2009-10-06

    Located in Visby, Gotland, Gotland, Sweden

    ArkeoDok Viking History Museum ArkeoDok Viking History Museum located in Visby houses various strange artifacts from the days the Viking ruled the country. ArkeoDok Viking History Museum base is the Viking island of Gotland - a real centre in the Viking world in Visby. READ MORE

  • The Medieval Hotel2009-10-05

    Located in Visby, Gotland, Gotland, Sweden

    The Medieval HotelThe Medieval Hotel of Visby is one of a kind and there are a few hotels in the world in Medieval buildings, very few of them with historically inspired interiors, and extremely few ? matching the first two statements ? in a UNESCO World Heritage site. The Medieval Hotel in Visby offers exclusive lodging in historical environment, conference or meeting rooms as well as executive rooms for small corporate groups in Visby. READ MORE

  • Kneippbyn Activity Centre2009-10-06

    Located in Visby, Gotland, Gotland, Sweden

    Kneippbyn Activity CentreKneippbyn Activity Centre in Visby offers 700 beds in camping cottages, self-catering cottages, flats or hotel rooms. Summerland features over 50 activities and Waterland has heated pools and waterslides. Live next door to Pippi Longstocking in Visby!READ MORE

  • Breda Blick Hotel Apartments and Conference Centre 2009-10-05

    Located in Visby, Gotland, Gotland, Sweden

    Breda Blick Hotel Apartments and Conference Centre Breda Blick Hotel Apartments and Conference Centre is located in Visby and offer rooms and apartments with a cafe, outdoor conferences facilities and a barbecue. Breda Blick Hotel Apartments and Conference Centre is nearby the Botanical Garden, Town Wall and Baltic Sea in Visby. READ MORE

  • Best Western Solhem Hotel2009-10-05

    Located in Visby, Gotland, Gotland, Sweden

    Best Western Solhem HotelNext to Visby's well preserved city wall, you find Best Western Solhem Hotel. Gotland's Best Western Solhem Hotel has 94 rooms, of which 90 are double rooms and 4 single rooms. READ MORE

  • Hotell Stenugnen2009-10-05

    Located in Visby, Gotland, Gotland, Sweden

    Hotell StenugnenHotel Stenugnen located in Visby's hotel rooms are designed in maritime yacht style with en-suites with two hotel rooms suitable for disabled guests. Hotel Stenugnen offer double rooms on the second floor that are suitable for families visiting Visby. READ MORE

  • Visby HamnHotell2009-10-06

    Located in Visby, Gotland, Gotland, Sweden

    Visby HamnHotellVisby HamnHotell located on Gutebacken in Visby?s harbour area, offers 194 double rooms and 14 family rooms/suites, disabled-friendly rooms as well as certain rooms where pets are welcome. Visby HamnHotell?s location is perfect for conferences and meetings in Visby.READ MORE

  • Best Western Strand Hotel2009-10-05

    Located in Visby, Gotland, Gotland, Sweden

    Best Western Strand HotelBest Western Strand Hotel Visby got 110 rooms in the following categories: Suites 3; Superiorrum 4; Doublerooms 91 and Single rooms 12 at our location in Visby. Best Western Strand Hotel Visby have the right meeting place for your conference in Visby.READ MORE

  • The Clarion Hotel Wisby

    Located in Visby, Gotland, Gotland, Sweden

    The Clarion Hotel WisbyVisit The Clarion Hotel Wisby in VisbyREAD MORE

  • TOTT Hotel Visby2009-10-06

    Located in Visby, Gotland, Gotland, Sweden

    TOTT Hotel VisbyTOTT Hotel Visby, Sweden?s first true luxury resort lies just north of Visby?s captivating town centre, in between Norderstrand?s outstretched piers and a magnificent nature reserve. TOTT Hotel Visby also offers conference facilities in Visby. READ MORE

  • Gotlands Museum Complex 2009-10-06

    Located in Visby, Gotland, Gotland, Sweden

    Gotlands Museum Complex The Gotland Museum complex located in Visby houses various farm museums: Norrbys, Petes, Kattlunds and the Kapitelhusgården - Kajsarn Prison Tower, Museum of Art, Historical Museum, Sience Center and the Museum shop. The Gotlands Museum Complex also have entertainment facilities such as the Garden café, a shop, animals and a nature path. READ MORE

  • Hotell S:t Clemens2009-10-05

    Located in Visby, Gotland, Gotland, Sweden

    Hotell S:t ClemensThe Hotell S:t Clemens offers five buildings connected by two pleasant gardens alongside the ruins of the medieval church of S:t Klemens in Visby. In spite of old-fashioned surroundings, all 30 rooms at Hotell S:t Clemens have modern facilities and a conference facility in Visby. READ MORE

  • Fridhem Pensionat Hotel 2009-10-06

    Located in Visby, Gotland, Gotland, Sweden

    Fridhem Pensionat Hotel Fridhem Pensionat Hotel located in Visby offers hotel rooms with a historical touch and Baltic sea views or park views. The hotel offers various other accommodation options including a Youth hostel, en suite rooms, none en suites, hostel rooms, Cottages and group accommodation for up to 50 guests in Visby.READ MORE

  • Värdshuset Lindgården Hotel2009-10-05

    Located in Visby, Gotland, Gotland, Sweden

    Värdshuset Lindgården HotelVärdshuset Lindgården Hotel in Visby, is located in a in medieval environment and offers eight rooms in the beautiful park just steps from the sea. Värdshuset Lindgården Hotel located in Strandgatan street is close to the Old Hall and Burmeisterska house in Visby. READ MORE

  • Almedalens Hotell and Cafe AB2009-10-05

    Located in Visby, Gotland, Gotland, Sweden

    Almedalens Hotell and Cafe ABAlmedalens Hotell and Cafe AB has a fantastic location in Visby's medieval town 25 yards from the sea and offer modern rooms with a view that overlooks Almedalens Park. Almedalens Hotell and Cafe AB have single and double rooms and also suites consisting of one or two bedrooms and a sitting room for visitors to Visby. READ MORE