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:''This article is about the city. For the ship, see Visby class corvette.''
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'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'' 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".
Today (2005) its population is 22,236, 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.
The ringwall was likely begun in the 13th century. Around 1280 it was rebuilt to reach its current height, and getting the characteristic towers, although some towers were not constructed until the 15th century. The ringwall is still largely intact.
In 1361, Gotland was conquered by Valdemar IV of Denmark and Visby became a Danish city. Important as it was, some setbacks occurred. In 1391, 1394 and 1398 it was taken and plundered by the Victual Brothers, pirates who sailed the Baltic Sea. In 1411, King Eric of Pomerania had the castle of Visborg constructed, and settled himself there for twelve years, during which the city virtually became a pirates nest, and the commerce halted. As of 1470, the Hanseatic League renounced Visby status as a Hanseatic town.
In 1525, the final blow came. The merchants of Visby were in a feud with Lübeck in what is now Germany. The Germans burned down all Visby's churches except the cathedral. The ruins have been kept until this day, owing its charm on the modern city.
Gotland was again conquered by Sweden in 1645 at the Treaty of Brömsebro, after 300 years of Danish occupation. The city developed slowly as things were left as they were. In the midst of the 18th century some attempts were made from Swedish government officials to improve the standards, but not much happened. Not until the early 19th century did Visby once again attract commerce and a harbour industry.
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 to hold 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.
Near Visby there is the static inverter plant for the first HVDC interconnection of a windpark (HVDC Visby-Nas).
★ Christopher Polhem, 18th-century inventor
★ Matthias Sunneborn, long jumper, national record holder
★ University College of Gotland
★ List of Gotland Governors
★ Gotland Tourist Association - Visby
★ World Heritage Visby - Map with associated picture links
★ Mitt Visby - Local news, weather forecast, events, cinema and TV-guide
★ The official Medieval Week Visby site
★ Large collection of photos from the Medieval Week (Medeltidsveckan) in Visby
★ Information about Visby, the Medieval Week and a collection of photos
----
'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'' 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".
Today (2005) its population is 22,236, 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.
| Contents |
| History |
| Sights and events |
| Gallery |
| Miscellaneous |
| Notable natives |
| See also |
| External links |
History
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.
The ringwall was likely begun in the 13th century. Around 1280 it was rebuilt to reach its current height, and getting the characteristic towers, although some towers were not constructed until the 15th century. The ringwall is still largely intact.
In 1361, Gotland was conquered by Valdemar IV of Denmark and Visby became a Danish city. Important as it was, some setbacks occurred. In 1391, 1394 and 1398 it was taken and plundered by the Victual Brothers, pirates who sailed the Baltic Sea. In 1411, King Eric of Pomerania had the castle of Visborg constructed, and settled himself there for twelve years, during which the city virtually became a pirates nest, and the commerce halted. As of 1470, the Hanseatic League renounced Visby status as a Hanseatic town.
In 1525, the final blow came. The merchants of Visby were in a feud with Lübeck in what is now Germany. The Germans burned down all Visby's churches except the cathedral. The ruins have been kept until this day, owing its charm on the modern city.
Gotland was again conquered by Sweden in 1645 at the Treaty of Brömsebro, after 300 years of Danish occupation. The city developed slowly as things were left as they were. In the midst of the 18th century some attempts were made from Swedish government officials to improve the standards, but not much happened. Not until the early 19th century did Visby once again attract commerce and a harbour industry.
Sights and events
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 to hold 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.
Gallery
Miscellaneous
Near Visby there is the static inverter plant for the first HVDC interconnection of a windpark (HVDC Visby-Nas).
Notable natives
★ Christopher Polhem, 18th-century inventor
★ Matthias Sunneborn, long jumper, national record holder
See also
★ University College of Gotland
★ List of Gotland Governors
External links
★ Gotland Tourist Association - Visby
★ World Heritage Visby - Map with associated picture links
★ Mitt Visby - Local news, weather forecast, events, cinema and TV-guide
★ The official Medieval Week Visby site
★ Large collection of photos from the Medieval Week (Medeltidsveckan) in Visby
★ Information about Visby, the Medieval Week and a collection of photos
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