The island of Gotland (Sweden). Gotland: attractions

The largest in the Baltic Sea is the island of Gotland. From mainland Sweden, it is removed by about 100 km and is the largest island in this country. The total area of Gotland is 2994 square kilometers. The island is represented in the form of a plateau, composed of sandstones and Silurian limestones. The highest point of Gotland is Loista Head (83 m). The prevailing heights on the island do not exceed 50 m. Visby is the main port and city of the island, where many attractions are concentrated.

History of the main city of the island

When exactly the main city of modern Gotland - Visby was born, for certain is unknown. However, there are facts that indicate that the settlement here existed in the Stone Age. The first inhabitants of Visby were Vikings. And the name of the settlement is literally translated as "a village near Vi".

Most actively the city began to develop during the Middle Ages. The 12th century was the time of the construction of numerous Christian churches. During the same period, various monastic orders erected many schools. However, up to now, none of these buildings have survived, only some of them remained ruins. The greatest harm was done to the churches and schools of the city during the Lubeck invasion of the island of Gotland in the 16th century. Then managed to survive only the Cathedral of St. Mary.

The heyday of Visby is the 13th century. Then the city was part of the mighty Hanseatic League, and also the most important economic and commercial center of Europe. It was in those days that the construction of the fortified ring wall began, and today the Swedish town is surrounded.

14-16th centuries were marked for Visby with numerous troubles - plague, famine due to crop failures, the invasion of the Swedish king, conquest by pirates, long-standing feud between local merchants and merchants from Lübeck, as a result of which the city was burned last to the ground. The economic and cultural life in Visby was established only in the 19th century. This was due to the appearance of local residents interest in their historical monuments. Today the city is a popular tourist resort among travelers from all over the world.

Raukary - the most famous natural attractions of Gotland

The fact that Gotland is the largest island in the Baltic Sea is not its only feature. After all, on its territory are located one of the most famous natural wonders of the world - raukar. They are presented in the form of pillars of a bizarre shape, which amaze with their grandeur and beauty. Their education was promoted by such natural elements as water and wind, constantly working on the coastal rocks. The largest raukar, which has the island of Gotland on its territory, is Hoburgsgubben. It is located about 100 km from Visby. From afar this raukar reminds the old man's head.

Not far from the Bay of Lergrav is the area of raukar Lergrav raukomrade, whose length is 1000 meters, and the width is 200 meters. Here vacationers like to wander, thinking about the meaning of life. The most famous raukar of the area is Porten. Not far from here is a fishing village, where tourists often stop by to see the preserved ancient stove, in which lime was burnt.

Botanical Garden of Gotland

The Botanical Garden is another famous landmark that the island of Gotland (Sweden) has on its territory. It was founded in 1856 by a society of bathing lovers - a gentlemen's club formed for the purpose of charity. By the way, the same school founded the first school and bank in Gotland. There is a botanical garden next to the Gates of Love in the north-western part of the city wall.

Tourists who visit the park in the period from July to August, have the opportunity to enjoy the scents that emanate from numerous herbs, trees and a rosary. On the territory of the botanical garden, there are exotic plants for the Scandinavian countries, among which are mulberry, walnut, ginkgo and many others. Among the lush vegetation of the park are the ruins of the Church of St. Olof and a pond with lots of water lilies, where people like to rest the visitors of the object.

Museums of Gotland

The Museum of History is another attraction located on the island of Gotland (Sweden). All about Gotland, or at least very much, you can find out exactly here! The museum stores many archaeological finds of the Viking Age, exhibits of the Stone and Middle Ages, huge collections of silver and gold treasures. A permanent exhibition called Gotlandium provides visitors with comprehensive information on the formation of the island of Gotland, the gradual change in its landscape, and the peculiarities of the formation of raukar. The smallest tourists who came to the island of Gotland with their parents, are delighted with what they saw in the center of modern science - Fenomenalen.

Another place worthy of attention is the picture gallery, located in the center of Visby. It occupies a separate building, erected in the middle of the century before last. The museum collection includes the best works of art that depict the beauty of Gotland. Often temporary exhibitions of contemporary artists are organized here.

Lovers of rare vehicles are also worth a visit to the car museum, which was created by enthusiast Mats Andersson. Here you can see cars and motorcycles that were produced in the period from 19 to 20 century.

City Wall

The city wall is the brightest man-made object that has on its territory the island of Gotland. The sights of many other cities located in Northern Europe are duller compared to it. The length of the wall is 3.5 km, and the height is 11 m. It was built from sandstone at the end of the 13th century. Decorate the wall of the tower from the 12th and 14th centuries, there are about 30. The oldest is the Powder Tower (Kruttornet), whose height is 18 m. During the summer months, tourists have the opportunity to visit this object.

St. Mary's Cathedral and the ruins of the Monastery of St. Nicholas

The Cathedral of St. Mary is the only surviving to this day object erected here in the Middle Ages. Moreover, today it hosts divine services. The cathedral is one of the oldest structures that survived in the city of Visby, and by the way, there are not so many of them. The church was built in 1225 with funds from merchants and sailors from Germany. In the same year, it was consecrated by Bishop Bernt Magnusson of Linkoping. Originally the cathedral was a Romanesque basilica with a western tower, an apse and a transept. However, as a result of numerous reconstructions, the church became larger in area, and also two eastern towers and choruses appeared in it. The status of the cathedral was appropriated to her in 1572.

There were a lot of things on the territory of Gotland and other holy places, however, from the majority of them there was nothing left, and from some only ruins. It is to the latter that the monastery of St. Nicholas, founded in Visby in 1228, belongs. Today, among its ruins, theatrical and musical productions are often organized, and annually the Gotland Chamber Music Festival is held, which attracts fans of this musical direction not only from Sweden, but also from many other countries of the world.