Visby City Wall, Visby (must see)
The Visby City Wall is a remarkable medieval defensive structure encircling the charming town of Visby on the picturesque island of Gotland in Sweden. As an outstanding example of medieval fortification in Scandinavia, this wall holds immense historical significance and is a vital component of the Visby World Heritage Site.
Construction of the Visby City Wall took place in two distinct phases, during the 13th and 14th centuries, showcasing the architectural prowess of the time. Originally stretching over 3.6 kilometers (2.2 miles), an impressive 3.44 kilometers (2.14 miles) of the wall remains intact, a testament to its enduring strength and resilience.
The wall comprises an array of 29 large towers and 22 smaller ones, providing a formidable line of defense for the town. Today, 27 large towers and 9 smaller ones still stand, attesting to the exceptional preservation of this medieval marvel. An interesting aspect of the construction is that some houses, predating the wall itself, were integrated into the wall during one of its construction phases, adding a unique blend of urban settlement within the fortifications.
As the centuries passed, the Visby City Wall saw adaptations to meet the changing demands of warfare. In the 18th century, fortifications were strategically added to several sections of the wall, reinforcing its defensive capabilities. Additionally, some of the towers were reconstructed to accommodate the use of cannons, reflecting the evolution of military technology during that era.
The Visby City Wall not only serves as a magnificent historical attraction but also stands as a symbol of the town's resilience and the importance of safeguarding cultural heritage. Its inclusion in the Visby World Heritage Site further emphasizes its global significance and the recognition of its exceptional preservation.
Construction of the Visby City Wall took place in two distinct phases, during the 13th and 14th centuries, showcasing the architectural prowess of the time. Originally stretching over 3.6 kilometers (2.2 miles), an impressive 3.44 kilometers (2.14 miles) of the wall remains intact, a testament to its enduring strength and resilience.
The wall comprises an array of 29 large towers and 22 smaller ones, providing a formidable line of defense for the town. Today, 27 large towers and 9 smaller ones still stand, attesting to the exceptional preservation of this medieval marvel. An interesting aspect of the construction is that some houses, predating the wall itself, were integrated into the wall during one of its construction phases, adding a unique blend of urban settlement within the fortifications.
As the centuries passed, the Visby City Wall saw adaptations to meet the changing demands of warfare. In the 18th century, fortifications were strategically added to several sections of the wall, reinforcing its defensive capabilities. Additionally, some of the towers were reconstructed to accommodate the use of cannons, reflecting the evolution of military technology during that era.
The Visby City Wall not only serves as a magnificent historical attraction but also stands as a symbol of the town's resilience and the importance of safeguarding cultural heritage. Its inclusion in the Visby World Heritage Site further emphasizes its global significance and the recognition of its exceptional preservation.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Visby. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "51爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
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Visby City Wall on Map
Sight Name: Visby City Wall
Sight Location: Visby, Sweden (See walking tours in Visby)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Visby, Sweden (See walking tours in Visby)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Visby, Sweden
Create Your Own Walk in Visby
Creating your own self-guided walk in Visby is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Church Ruins Walking Tour
Out of the total nineteen church ruins found in Gotland, twelve are in Visby. The period of church construction in Gotland was fairly short, from around the early 11th to the mid-14th centuries, with the last churches in Visby inaugurated in the 15th century.
Our first stop on this tour is the Saint Clemens Church, a majestic structure dating back to the 1060s. Once a grand display of Gothic... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.4 Km or 0.9 Miles
Our first stop on this tour is the Saint Clemens Church, a majestic structure dating back to the 1060s. Once a grand display of Gothic... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.4 Km or 0.9 Miles
Visby Introduction Walking Tour
Ask a Swede about Visby and you鈥檒l probably see a dreamy look on their face. It is fairly difficult to find anyone in the country who isn鈥檛 fond of this enchanting town, located on the island of Gotland, east of the Swedish mainland.
Visby's history dates back to medieval times when it was a prominent trading hub within the Hanseatic League. The town's name is believed to... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.8 Km or 1.1 Miles
Visby's history dates back to medieval times when it was a prominent trading hub within the Hanseatic League. The town's name is believed to... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.8 Km or 1.1 Miles