Visby
- For other uses, see Visby (disambiguation).
Visby is a city, founded in the 10th century, on the then independent Baltic Sea island of Gotland, in modern Sweden. Administratively Visby is the seat of residence for the Governor of Gotland County. There is also a locally elected Gotland Municipality in the city. In contemporary Sweden Visby is primarily known for the, largly intact, 3.4 km long stone wall that circles the oldest part of the city. The wall is called "Ringmuren" which translates to "the ring wall". Some affectionately call Visby the "city of roses". Whether it lives up to that distinction among other old Swedish cities is debatable.
History
Gotland came to Sweden in the 17th century after 300 years of Danish occupation. Between the 12th and 14th centuries, Visby was an important center of the Hanseatic League. During the drive for Christianisation of the Baltic lands and the time of Riga's foundation around 1200, Visby became the mother city to Riga.
The Hanseatic Town of Visby is part of the UNESCO's World Heritage Sites.
Notable natives
See also
- University College of Gotland
- Gotland County Administrative Board
- List of Gotland Governors
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Categories: Gotland | Swedish municipal seats | World Heritage Sites in Sweden