Visby

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This article is about the city. See Visby-class corvette for the ship.

**Visby**
	City arms In 1971 incorporated in the arms of Gotland Municipality
	57° 38´ N 18° 17´ E
	Charter	City (1645)
	Municipality	Gotland Municipality
	County	Gotland County
	Province	Gotland
	Population	22,017

Visby is the largest city on the Swedish island of Gotland;it is arguably the best-preserved medieval town in Scandinavia, and has become a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Of its history, the most notable objects 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 Vi, meaning sacrificial place.

Today its population is 22,000 and it is the seat of the Governor of Gotland County.

1 History
2 Sights
3 Gallery
4 Miscellaneous
- 4.1 Notable natives
5 See also
6 External links

[edit] History

Visby Ringwall

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 the 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 town. Important as it was, some setbacks occurred. In 1391, 1394, 1398 it was taken and plundered by the Victual Brothers, pirates who sailed the Baltic Sea. And in 1411, the 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. Merchants of Visby were in a feud with Lübeck. The Germans commenced by burning down all city 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. It developed slowly, things were left as they were. In the midth 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.

[edit] Sights

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 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. See the external links for more information.

[edit] Gallery

Visby Cathedral	Saint Nicolaus Church Ruin, built in 1230, burnt in 1525.	Visby cirka 1700, in Suecia antiqua et hodierna	Visby waterfront today
The harbor	Gunpowder Tower	Strandpromenaden	Almedalen
Fishermans Alley	Packhusplan square