Visby guide

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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 ("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.


Latest Tweets featuring Visby

  • suiga_visby

    ≪高校で世界史や地理をやった方へ≫いろいろ勉強したいのでよかったら「苦手だった所」を「返信」で教えて下さい！　【びすbot】

    Yesterday, 23:27

  • majapetterssons

    @OskarPedersen Jävla standard när vi för en gångs skull ska äta i Visby.. Brukar brödet vara gott?

    Yesterday, 23:23

  • Sannahhansson

    Så hänga man i Visby http://t.co/lzAMdvce

    Yesterday, 23:14

  • f_wallin

    RT @RobbieLauler: Den här Max-reklamen i Visby måste man ju ge tummen upp http://t.co/aiRsWe6U

    Yesterday, 22:29

  • SteveOlliffe

    Sun setting over Visby, enjoying an evening stroll. Here Ida stands on the spot we will be wed :-) http://t.co/icG8XRff

    Yesterday, 22:22

  • nightimages

    Approaching Visby by night via http://t.co/9Voe6uc3 http://t.co/Rv8Y3fKU

    Yesterday, 22:14

  • OscarNygren91

    I morgon blir det att åka till Fårö och kanske se på Ingmar Bergmans hus här på Gotland. Köpte på mig en riktigt fin tröja i Visby i dag.

    Yesterday, 21:21

  • LarsAmreus

    RT @Erika_konserv: Min vän Fann Damm har börjat arbeta i RAÄs bibliotek i Visby igen! Kan han även jobba i museimagasin? http://t.co/6DkdYuTy

    Yesterday, 21:08

  • radiogagarin

    Först brände Gudrun Schyman 100 000 kr i Visby på 10 min. Sen brände Magnus Hedman sitt renommé på 10 min. Studio Total båda två?

    Yesterday, 21:07

  • AliceSvantesson

    @ullies75 Visby!! Oslagbart! Eller Danmark - vart som helst. Västkusten, framförallt Kungshamn, (där har svärfar stuga) Smögen, Halmstad.

    Yesterday, 21:07

  • PolisTryggve

    Vill förebygga kriminalitet på ön - Nyheter Gotland Visby - Hela Gotland http://t.co/QrkGrBOa

    Yesterday, 20:38

  • martin_svard

    RT @FreakFabrik: Varför bor man på Gotland, nära Visby, om man är elöverkänslig?! Så jävla öde är inte denna ö..

    Yesterday, 20:31

  • studiomannen

    RT @ladyburda: @studiomannen Gotland MÅSTE du. Oerhört vackert med öarna runt om särskilt Fårö med Raukarna och Bergman huset. Visby är otroligt charmig.

    Yesterday, 20:13

  • ladyburda

    @studiomannen Gotland MÅSTE du. Oerhört vackert med öarna runt om särskilt Fårö med Raukarna och Bergman huset. Visby är otroligt charmig.

    Yesterday, 20:12

  • FreakFabrik

    Varför bor man på Gotland, nära Visby, om man är elöverkänslig?! Så jävla öde är inte denna ö..

    Yesterday, 20:10

Featured Businesses and Services in Visby

Other Businesses and Services in Visby

  • 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.

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  • 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.

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  • 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.

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  • Hotell Stenugnen (2009-10-05)

    Located in Visby, Gotland, Gotland, Sweden

    Hotell Stenugnen

    Hotel 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.

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  • Visby HamnHotell (2009-10-06)

    Located in Visby, Gotland, Gotland, Sweden

    Visby HamnHotell

    Visby 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.

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  • Hotell S:t Clemens (2009-10-05)

    Located in Visby, Gotland, Gotland, Sweden

    Hotell S:t Clemens

    The 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.

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  • 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.

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  • Almedalens Hotell and Cafe AB (2009-10-05)

    Located in Visby, Gotland, Gotland, Sweden

    Almedalens Hotell and Cafe AB

    Almedalens 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.

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  • Värdshuset LindgÃ¥rden Hotel (2009-10-05)

    Located in Visby, Gotland, Gotland, Sweden

    Värdshuset Lindgården Hotel

    Värdshuset 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.

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  • TOTT Hotel Visby (2009-10-06)

    Located in Visby, Gotland, Gotland, Sweden

    TOTT Hotel Visby

    TOTT 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.

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  • Best Western Strand Hotel (2009-10-05)

    Located in Visby, Gotland, Gotland, Sweden

    Best Western Strand Hotel

    Best 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.

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  • 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.

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  • The Clarion Hotel Wisby

    Located in Visby, Gotland, Gotland, Sweden

    The Clarion Hotel Wisby

    The Clarion Hotel Wisby is situated at Strandgatan 6 in the wedge-shaped area formed by Strandgatan, Donnersplats and Kilgränd. If you arrive in Visby by boat, the hotel is an easy 15 minute walk from the port. You’ll find a warm welcome at T...

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  • Hotel 1 (2009-10-05)

    Located in Visby, Gotland, Gotland, Sweden

    Hotel 1

    Hotel 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.

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  • The Medieval Hotel (2009-10-05)

    Located in Visby, Gotland, Gotland, Sweden

    The Medieval Hotel

    The 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.

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