Visby

The name "Visby" comes from the Old Norse Vis, (genitive singular of Vi) meaning "(pagan) place of sacrifices", and by, meaning "village". In the Gutasagan (mid 14th century) the place is referred to as just Wi meaning "holy place, place of worship".Nationalencyklopedin, article "Visby"

Visby is sometimes called "The City of Roses" or "The City of Ruins".{{cite web|title=Visby innerstad|url=http://www.gotland.net/start/visby-innerstad|website=www.gotland.net|publisher=Visit Gotland|access-date=15 June 2014}}{{cite web|title=Smeknamn och öknamn på svenska städer|url=http://www.cercurius.se/ordlistor/smeknamnsvenskastader.htm|website=www.cercurius.se|publisher=Cercurius AB|access-date=15 June 2014|archive-date=14 May 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170514081726/http://www.cercurius.se/ordlistor/smeknamnsvenskastader.htm|url-status=dead}}{{cite news |url=http://www.expressen.se/debatt/rosornas-stads-mest-urvattnade-tradition/ |newspaper=Expressen |title=Rosornas stads mest urvattnade tradition |last1=Blom |first1=Ewdward |date=2 July 2013 |access-date=15 June 2014 |language=sv}}

{{Quote box

| title = Historical affiliations

| quote = {{flag|Denmark-Norway}} 1361–?

{{flag|Kalmar Union}} 1397–?

{{flag|Sweden}} 1645–?

{{flagicon|Russian Empire}} Russian Empire 1808{{efn|In 1808, the Russian Empire occupied Gotland, but was taken back by the Swedes after only four weeks}}

{{flag|Sweden}} 1808–1814

{{flagicon|Sweden|1844}} Sweden–Norway 1814–1905

{{flag|Sweden}} 1905–present

| align = left

| width = 23em

| fontsize = 90%

| bgcolor = GhostWhite

}}The earliest history of Visby is uncertain, but it is known to have been a centre of merchandise around AD 900. It was inhabited as early as the Stone Age, probably because of the access to fresh water and a natural harbour.{{cite journal |last=Westholm |first=Gun |title=Visby och Gotland – Medeltida byggnadsutveckling. |date=2000 |journal=Gotländskt Arkiv |volume=2000 |issue=72 |location=Visby |publisher=Gotlands fornsal |page=85 }} The oldest finds at the site of present-day Visby are what have been interpreted as "beach huts", with the radiocarbon dating method to the 7th–9th centuries AD.{{Cite journal |last=Westholm |first=Gun |date=2000 |title=Visby och Gotland - medeltida byggnadsutveckling |url=https://libris.kb.se/bib/3254793 |journal=Gotländskt arkiv |pages=2000 (72), s. 85–104 : ill}}

In the 12th century, Visby Cathedral, dedicated to Saint Mary, was constructed. It was reshaped in the 13th century to its current appearance, and was officially opened in 1225,{{sfn|Björkander|1898|p=88}} by the bishop of the Swedish city of Linköping (in regional map). Several other churches were also constructed in the ensuing centuries. The city flourished, thanks to the German Hanseatic League.{{cite book |last1=Yrwing |first1=Hugo |title= Visby – hansestad på Gotland |date=1986 |publisher= Gidlund |location=Stockholm |language=sv |isbn=91-7844-055-6 |url= http://libris.kb.se/bib/7668452 |access-date=12 June 2014}}

File:Valdemar Atterdag brandskattar Visby (1882).jpg, by Carl Gustaf Hellqvist (1851–1890).]]

The work on the ring wall was likely begun in the 12th century. Around 1300, it was rebuilt to reach its current height, acquiring the characteristic towers, although some towers were not constructed until the 15th century. The ringwall is still largely intact.{{cite book |last1=Andrén |first1=Anders |title=Det medeltida Gotland: en arkeologisk guidebok |date=2011 |publisher=Historiska media |location=Lund |isbn=978-91-85873-83-8 |url=http://libris.kb.se/bib/12028545 |access-date=15 June 2014}}

In the first half of the 14th century (1300–1350), Visby was at the height of its wealth and influence, and it was during this time that Laws of Wisbuy, a set of maritime laws that had broad influence in the Baltic and beyond, were probably promulgated.{{cite journal |last=Stone |first=Arthur J. |date=October 1842 |title=Canada's Admiralty Court in the Twentieth Century |url=http://lawjournal.mcgill.ca/userfiles/other/2324371-47.3.Stone.pdf |journal=McGill Law Journal |volume=47 |pages=511–558 |access-date=11 April 2016 |archive-date=20 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171020094833/http://lawjournal.mcgill.ca/userfiles/other/2324371-47.3.Stone.pdf |url-status=dead }}

In 1361, Gotland was conquered by Valdemar IV of Denmark. 1,800 Gotlanders were killed in battle in front of the city. Valdemar tore down part of the wall, set up three huge beer barrels and threatened to turn his men loose to pillage the town unless they were filled with silver and gold. The Visby city fathers fulfilled the demand, with churches stripped of their valuables. Valdemar added "King of Gotland" to his title list.{{cite book |last1=Westholm |first1=Gun |title=Visby 1361: Invasionen |date=2007 |publisher=Prisma |language=sv |location=Stockholm |isbn=978-91-518-4568-5 |url=http://libris.kb.se/bib/10415688 |access-date=12 June 2014}} His treatment of Visby, a member of the Hanseatic League, precipitated that League into war with Denmark; however, though Valdemar was forced into various concessions, he retained Visby as a Danish city.{{cite web |last1=Martinsson |first1=Örjan |title=Gotland |url=http://www.tacitus.nu/svenskhistoria/land/gotland.htm |website=www.tacitus.nu |publisher=TACITUS.NU |access-date=12 June 2014}}

In 1391, 1394 and 1398, it was taken and plundered by the Victual Brothers, pirates who sailed the Baltic Sea. An invading army of Teutonic Knights conquered Gotland in 1398, destroyed Visby and expelled the Victual Brothers. In 1409, Grand Master Ulrich von Jungingen of the Teutonic Knights guaranteed peace with the Kalmar Union of Scandinavia by selling the island of Gotland to Queen Margaret of Denmark, Norway and Sweden.

In 1411, the Norwegian, Danish and Swedish King Eric of Pomerania had the castle of Visborg constructed, and settled himself there for 12 years, during which the city virtually became a pirates' nest, and the commerce halted. As of 1470, the Hanseatic League rescinded Visby's status as a Hanseatic town.

In 1525, the final blow came. In the Danish throne quarrel, Lübeck, a Free City of the Holy Roman Empire and a leading member of the Hanseatic League, supported Frederick I, while Søren Norby the Danish governor of Gotland fought for Christian II, even after Christian's official resignation in 1523. While Norby fought a military action in Sweden, the Lübeckers successfully attacked Visby and set the city on fire from four sites. But unlike widespread belief, several churches survived at first. The churches of St. James (which already had been closed before), St. Nicholas and St. Gertrude were sacked by Lübeck's army. With the reformation, all churches except St. John, which became the city parish, were closed. In 1528, the citizens of Visby sacked the church of the Holy Trinity, or the church of Our Lord ({{langx|sv|Drottens kyrka}}) in revenge for the plundering of their town. In 1533–34, the new Danish governor, {{Interlanguage link multi|Henrik Nielsen Rosenkrantz|da}}, demolished St. John's and St. Peter's churches to improve the defence of his castle Visborgs slott. St. Mary's Cathedral remained the last functional church and became the new city parish.{{cite web| url = http://www.slottsguiden.info/slottdetalj.asp?id=165| title = Slottsguiden, S:ta Karin, Sverige}}{{cite web| url = http://www.slottsguiden.info/slottdetalj.asp?id=169| title = Slottsguiden, S:t Per och S:t Hans, Sverige}}

Gotland was again taken into Sweden's possession in 1645, by the Treaty of Brömsebro, after 300 years of Danish rule. The city developed slowly as things were left as they were.{{cite book |last=Englund |first=Peter |title=Ofredsår |publisher=Atlantis |location=Stockholm |year=2003 |pages=368 and 394 |isbn=91-7486-349-5 |language=sv}} In the mid 18th century, after a plague had reduced Visby's population, some attempts were made by Swedish government officials to improve living standards, but little was accomplished. Not until the early 19th century did Visby once again attract commerce and a harbour industry. At the same time – 1808 – Gotland was conquered by Russia, but was peacefully taken back by the Swedes after only a couple of months.

File:Övre Finngränd 7 Sta Maria 29 Visby Gotland.jpg

Visby is the name of the locality, or town, as well as the name of the larger area surrounding it, Visby socken. In 1936, the socken was incorporated within the newly formed Visby stad (Visby city), the only locality with historical city status on Gotland. Visby socken comprises the same area as the administrative Visby District, established on 1{{nbsp}}January 2016.{{cite web|title=Förordning om district|trans-title=Regulation of districts|url=http://rkrattsdb.gov.se/SFSdoc/15/150493.PDF |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151231103401/http://rkrattsdb.gov.se/SFSdoc/15/150493.PDF |archive-date=2015-12-31 |url-status=live|date=17 June 2015|publisher=Ministry of Finance|access-date=24 May 2016}}The exact extent of the old socken, now district, can be obtained by clicking on Kartinställningar and check the Socken box in the menu of [http://www.fmis.raa.se/cocoon/fornsok/search.html?parish=976&tab=2&page=1 this map] from the Swedish National Heritage Board database. {{As of|2019}}, Visby Cathedral, Visborg Church and Terra Nova Church in Visby belong to Visby Cathedral parish (Visby Domkyrkoförsamling).{{cite web |title=Församlingar på Gotland |url=https://www.svenskakyrkan.se/visbystift/f |website=www.svenskakyrkan.se |publisher=Church of Sweden |access-date=13 January 2019}}{{cite web |title=Visby stifts indelning 2018 |url=https://www.svenskakyrkan.se/default.aspx?id=1714164 |website=www.svenskakyrkan.se |publisher=Church of Sweden |access-date=13 January 2019}} Visby is also the only municipality seat of Sweden that is accessible from the mainland only by boat and air traffic.

Visby is situated on the central west coast of Gotland, on the rather steep slopes of limestone cliffs surrounding the first natural harbor. The town has evolved around the medieval harbor that now constitutes the Almedalen park. Long streets run parallel with the old shoreline with shorter alleys at a straight angle from these, lead from the harbor and up the slope up to the eastern higher part of town known as Klinten.{{cite web|title=Visby|url=http://www.ne.se/uppslagsverk/encyklopedi/lång/visby|website=www.ne.se|publisher=Nationalencyklopedin|access-date=24 June 2016}}

The old, original part of Visby is more or less enclosed by the city wall to the north, east and south, with the old harbor and the Baltic Sea in the west. The more modern parts of the town expand mostly east and inland from the wall. Along the shore south of the wall is the modern harbor with its ferry terminals and further south is a green recreational area called Södra Hällarna. Just inside the north part of the wall as well as along the north coast outside the wall, are several beaches: Kallbadhuset, Norderstrand, Snäckgärdsbaden (or simply Snäck) and Gustavsvik.{{cite web|title=Välkomna till Visby!|trans-title=Welcome to Visby!|url=http://www.gotland.net/se-och-gora/arkiv/valkomna-till-visby|website=www.gotland.net|publisher=Gotlands Media AB|date=23 April 2014|access-date=24 June 2016}}

Visby and Tallinn are the only two North-European towns in which the city's medieval grid plan has been fully preserved into present day.{{citation needed|date=December 2016}}

One of the asteroids in the asteroid belt, 6102 Visby, is named after this place.{{cite web|url=http://ssd.jpl.nasa.gov/sbdb.cgi?sstr=6102|title=6102 Visby (1993 FQ25)|access-date=24 June 2016|publisher=NASA}}

According to the Köppen climate classification, Visby has an oceanic climate (Cfb). This renders the summers cooler and the winters milder than in most of mainland Sweden. However, in spite of its maritime location the city's climate is very much influenced by continental airflows. Precipitation amounts are quite moderate, especially for an oceanic climate, and relatively consistent throughout the year. Visby is one of the sunniest towns in Sweden and in the Nordic countries, especially so during summer.

{{Weather box

|location = Visby Airport 1991–2020 monthly normals and extremes

|collapsed =

|metric first = Yes

|single line = Yes

|Jan record high C = 10.2

|Feb record high C = 11.2

|Mar record high C = 16.1

|Apr record high C = 25.2

|May record high C = 27.7

|Jun record high C = 31.2

|Jul record high C = 33.7

|Aug record high C = 32.9

|Sep record high C = 28.1

|Oct record high C = 20.9

|Nov record high C = 14.9

|Dec record high C = 12.5

|year record high C = 33.7

|Jan avg record high C = 6.6

|Feb avg record high C = 6.8

|Mar avg record high C = 11.2

|Apr avg record high C = 18.5

|May avg record high C = 23.4

|Jun avg record high C = 25.8

|Jul avg record high C = 27.8

|Aug avg record high C = 27.0

|Sep avg record high C = 22.3

|Oct avg record high C = 16.0

|Nov avg record high C = 10.7

|Dec avg record high C = 7.8

|year avg record high C = 28.9

|Jan high C = 2.0

|Feb high C = 1.8

|Mar high C = 4.4

|Apr high C = 9.8

|May high C = 15.0

|Jun high C = 18.9

|Jul high C = 21.6

|Aug high C = 21.1

|Sep high C = 16.6

|Oct high C = 10.9

|Nov high C = 6.3

|Dec high C = 3.5

|year high C =

|Jan mean C = 0.2

|Feb mean C = -0.3

|Mar mean C = 1.3

|Apr mean C = 5.4

|May mean C = 10.2

|Jun mean C = 14.5

|Jul mean C = 17.4

|Aug mean C = 17.1

|Sep mean C = 13.0

|Oct mean C = 8.3

|Nov mean C = 4.5

|Dec mean C = 1.8

|year mean C = 7.8

|Jan low C = -1.9

|Feb low C = -2.6

|Mar low C = -1.8

|Apr low C = 1.2

|May low C = 5.3

|Jun low C = 10.0

|Jul low C = 13.2

|Aug low C = 13.2

|Sep low C = 9.6

|Oct low C = 5.6

|Nov low C = 2.5

|Dec low C = -0.3

|year low C =

|Jan avg record low C = -11.5

|Feb avg record low C = -10.9

|Mar avg record low C = -9.9

|Apr avg record low C = -5.3

|May avg record low C = -1.4

|Jun avg record low C = 3.8

|Jul avg record low C = 7.4

|Aug avg record low C = 6.8

|Sep avg record low C = 2.7

|Oct avg record low C = -2.0

|Nov avg record low C = -4.3

|Dec avg record low C = -8.3

|year avg record low C = -14.2

|Jan record low C = -20.1

|Feb record low C = -21.2

|Mar record low C = -19.5

|Apr record low C = -8.7

|May record low C = -7.8

|Jun record low C = -0.3

|Jul record low C = 4.1

|Aug record low C = 4.3

|Sep record low C = -2.9

|Oct record low C = -6.0

|Nov record low C = -15.4

|Dec record low C = -22.2

|year record low C = -22.2

|precipitation colour = green

|Jan precipitation mm = 42.7

|Feb precipitation mm = 35.3

|Mar precipitation mm = 27.6

|Apr precipitation mm = 24.9

|May precipitation mm = 29.0

|Jun precipitation mm = 42.5

|Jul precipitation mm = 61.3

|Aug precipitation mm = 56.6

|Sep precipitation mm = 47.5

|Oct precipitation mm = 54.0

|Nov precipitation mm = 55.5

|Dec precipitation mm = 56.2

|year precipitation mm = 533.2

|snow colour = green

|Jan snow cm =

|Feb snow cm =

|Mar snow cm =

|Apr snow cm =

|May snow cm =

|Jun snow cm =

|Jul snow cm =

|Aug snow cm =

|Sep snow cm =

|Oct snow cm =

|Nov snow cm =

|Dec snow cm =

|year snow cm =

|Jan sun = 41

|Feb sun = 70

|Mar sun = 156

|Apr sun = 243

|May sun = 317

|Jun sun = 315

|Jul sun = 314

|Aug sun = 261

|Sep sun = 188

|Oct sun = 102

|Nov sun = 42

|Dec sun = 31

|year sun =

|source 1={{cite web|url=https://www.smhi.se/data/meteorologi/dataserier-med-normalvarden-for-perioden-1991-2020-1.167775|title=Data series with normals for the period 1991-2020 |publisher=SMHI|language=sv|access-date=10 January 2022}}

|source 2={{cite web|url=https://www.smhi.se/data/meteorologi/ladda-ner-meteorologiska-observationer#param=airTemperatureMinAndMaxOnceEveryDay,stations=all,stationid=78400|title=Ladda ner meteorologiska observationer - Visby Flygplats|publisher=SMHI|language=sv|access-date=10 January 2022}}{{cite web|url=https://www.smhi.se/klimat/klimatet-da-och-nu/manadens-vader-och-vatten-sverige/manadens-vader-i-sverige/ars-och-manadsstatistik|title=Annual and monthly statistics since 2002|publisher=SMHI|language=sv|access-date=10 January 2022}}

}}

{{Weather box

|location = Visby Airport (2002–2020 averages, extremes since 1901)

|collapsed = Yes

|metric first = yes

|single line = yes

|Jan record high C = 10.2

|Feb record high C = 12.9

|Mar record high C = 18.6

|Apr record high C = 25.2

|May record high C = 27.7

|Jun record high C = 31.4

|Jul record high C = 33.7

|Aug record high C = 32.9

|Sep record high C = 29.5

|Oct record high C = 20.9

|Nov record high C = 14.9

|Dec record high C = 12.5

|year record high C = 33.7

|Jan avg record high C = 6.8

|Feb avg record high C = 6.8

|Mar avg record high C = 11.7

|Apr avg record high C = 18.2

|May avg record high C = 23.8

|Jun avg record high C = 26.2

|Jul avg record high C = 28.1

|Aug avg record high C = 27.5

|Sep avg record high C = 23.1

|Oct avg record high C = 16.3

|Nov avg record high C = 11.2

|Dec avg record high C = 8.1

|year avg record high C = 29.2

|Jan high C = 1.8

|Feb high C = 1.8

|Mar high C = 4.6

|Apr high C = 10.2

|May high C = 15.6

|Jun high C = 19.4

|Jul high C = 21.9

|Aug high C = 21.5

|Sep high C = 17.1

|Oct high C = 11.0

|Nov high C = 6.9

|Dec high C = 3.9

|year high C =

|Jan mean C = -0.3

|Feb mean C = -0.5

|Mar mean C = 1.3

|Apr mean C = 5.2

|May mean C = 10.6

|Jun mean C = 14.8

|Jul mean C = 17.7

|Aug mean C = 17.4

|Sep mean C = 13.6

|Oct mean C = 8.3

|Nov mean C = 4.9

|Dec mean C = 2.0

|year mean C =

|Jan low C = -2.4

|Feb low C = -2.7

|Mar low C = -2.1

|Apr low C = 1.1

|May low C = 5.5

|Jun low C = 10.2

|Jul low C = 13.4

|Aug low C = 13.3

|Sep low C = 10.0

|Oct low C = 5.5

|Nov low C = 2.9

|Dec low C = 0.1

|year low C =

|Jan avg record low C = -12.7

|Feb avg record low C = -11.0

|Mar avg record low C = -10.9

|Apr avg record low C = -5.9

|May avg record low C = -1.7

|Jun avg record low C = 3.1

|Jul avg record low C = 7.6

|Aug avg record low C = 6.5

|Sep avg record low C = 3.3

|Oct avg record low C = -2.2

|Nov avg record low C = -3.8

|Dec avg record low C = -7.8

|year avg record low C = -14.6

|Jan record low C = -25.0

|Feb record low C = -25.4

|Mar record low C = -23.5

|Apr record low C = -12.7

|May record low C = -7.8

|Jun record low C = -1.0

|Jul record low C = 2.9

|Aug record low C = 1.1

|Sep record low C = -2.9

|Oct record low C = -6.0

|Nov record low C = -15.4

|Dec record low C = -22.2

|year record low C= -25.4

|precipitation colour = green

|Jan precipitation mm = 46.5

|Feb precipitation mm = 32.0

|Mar precipitation mm = 27.9

|Apr precipitation mm = 20.2

|May precipitation mm = 28.2

|Jun precipitation mm = 39.8

|Jul precipitation mm = 64.8

|Aug precipitation mm = 58.6

|Sep precipitation mm = 40.1

|Oct precipitation mm = 57.4

|Nov precipitation mm = 60.9

|Dec precipitation mm = 57.8

|year precipitation mm =

|Jan snow depth cm = 15

|Feb snow depth cm = 13

|Mar snow depth cm = 8

|Apr snow depth cm = 1

|May snow depth cm = 0

|Jun snow depth cm = 0

|Jul snow depth cm = 0

|Aug snow depth cm = 0

|Sep snow depth cm = 0

|Oct snow depth cm = 0

|Nov snow depth cm = 5

|Dec snow depth cm = 7

|year snow depth cm = 21

|Jan percentsun = 17

|Feb percentsun = 25

|Mar percentsun = 45

|Apr percentsun = 59

|May percentsun = 60

|Jun percentsun = 60

|Jul percentsun = 58

|Aug percentsun = 56

|Sep percentsun = 53

|Oct percentsun = 33

|Nov percentsun = 17

|Dec percentsun = 15

|Jan sun = 37

|Feb sun = 70

|Mar sun = 167

|Apr sun = 261

|May sun = 322

|Jun sun = 331

|Jul sun = 313

|Aug sun = 265

|Sep sun = 200

|Oct sun = 103

|Nov sun = 42

|Dec sun = 31

|year sun =

|source 1={{cite web|url=http://www.smhi.se/klimatdata/meteorologi/temperatur/2.1240|title=Monthly & Yearly Statistics|publisher=SMHI|language=sv|access-date=3 April 2021|archive-date=25 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181225065632/http://www.smhi.se/klimatdata/meteorologi/temperatur/2.1240%20|url-status=dead}}

|source 2={{cite web|url=https://www.smhi.se/klimatdata/meteorologi/ladda-ner-meteorologiska-observationer/#param=precipitationMonthlySum,stations=all,stationid=78390|title=Ladda ner meteorologiska observationer - Visby D|publisher=SMHI|language=sv|access-date=3 April 2021|archive-date=11 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190411092753/https://www.smhi.se/klimatdata/meteorologi/ladda-ner-meteorologiska-observationer#param=precipitationMonthlySum,stations=all,stationid=78390|url-status=dead}}

}}

File:Visby 004.JPG

File:Rälsbusståg vid Visby station 1960.jpg

Visby is linked to the mainland of Sweden by ferry and by plane. Ferries arrive from both Oskarshamn in Småland and Nynäshamn, near Stockholm, each taking about three hours. The ferries are run by Destination Gotland and subsidized by the Swedish government.{{cite web|title=Resa till och på Gotland|trans-title=Travel to and on Gotland|url=http://gotland.com/besoka/bra-att-veta/resa-till-och-pa-gotland/|website=www.gotland.com|publisher=Inspiration Gotland|access-date=6 July 2016}} Destination Gotland is the only ferry operator – in summer 2016, independent shipping company Gotlandsbåten ran ferries to Västervik and Nynäshamn,{{cite web|last1=Widegren|first1=Patrik|title=Efter motgångar: Ny färja till Gotland i sommar|trans-title=After setbacks: New ferry to Gotland this summer|url=http://www.svt.se/nyheter/lokalt/ost/nytt-forsok-for-gotlandsbaten|website=www.svt.se|publisher=Sveriges Television|access-date=6 July 2016|date=22 January 2016}} but this service was unprofitable and was not repeated in 2017.{{Cite news |url=https://sverigesradio.se/sida/artikel.aspx?programid=86&artikel=6925377 |title=Gotlandsbåten avregistreras – inga nya planer |date=6 April 2018 |work=P4 Kalmar |access-date=17 August 2018 |publisher=Sveriges Radio |language=sv |trans-title=Gotlandsbåten deregistered – no new plans}}

Visby Airport is located about {{convert|5|km|abbr=on}} north of the city and offers connections to the Swedish mainland. With 467,857 passengers in 2018,{{cite web |title=Om flygplatsen |url=https://www.swedavia.se/visby/om-flygplatsen/#gref |website=www.swedavia.se |publisher=Swedavia |access-date=30 April 2019}} it is the 9th largest airport in Sweden.{{cite web |title=Sveriges flygplatser 2017- Arlanda störst, Hagfors minst & Skellefteå ökade mest |url=https://flyg24nyheter.com/sverigesflygplatser2017/ |website=www.flyg24nyheter.com |publisher=Flyg24nyheter |access-date=30 April 2019|date=25 January 2018 }} Daily flights to Stockholm Arlanda Airport is a common way to reach or depart from the island.{{cite news |last1=Hessrud Persson |first1=Stefan |title=Ny direktlinje mellan Oslo och Visby |url=https://www.aftonbladet.se/resa/a/0aPA2/ny-direktlinje-mellan-oslo-och-visby |access-date=30 April 2019 |work=Aftonbladet |publisher=Aftonbladet |date=6 April 2017}}

There are also city buses in Visby as well as buses to other parts of Gotland.{{cite web|last1=Wesley|first1=Stefan|title=Kollektivtrafik|trans-title=Public transport|date=1 July 2016|url=http://www.gotland.se/kollektivtrafiken|website=www.gotland.se|publisher=Gotland Municipality|access-date=6 July 2016}}

Visby gave its name to the 1968 Visby Amendments, which were an amendment of the Hague Rules of shipping law, leading to the Hague–Visby Rules.{{cite web|last1=Wanigasekera|first1=Anomi|title=Comparison of Hauge-Visby and Hamburg rules|url=http://www.juliusandcreasy.com/inpages/publications/pdf/comparison_of_hague_and_hamburg-AW.pdf|website=www.juliusandcreasy.com|publisher=Julius & Creasy|access-date=6 July 2016|archive-date=23 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181123155718/http://www.juliusandcreasy.com/inpages/publications/pdf/comparison_of_hague_and_hamburg-AW.pdf|url-status=dead}}

Visby was previously served by two railway lines, the {{ill|Gotland Railway|lt=Gotland Railway|sv|Gotlands Järnväg}} which ran from Lärbro in the north, to Burgsvik in the south, via Visby harbour and the {{ill|Visby – Visborgsslätt – Bjärs Railway |lt=Visby–Visborgsslätt–Bjärs Railway|sv|Visby–Visborgsslätt–Bjärs Järnväg}}, south to Visborgsslätt and Västerhejde. The first line, from Visby to Hemse was started in 1878, under the auspices of the Gotland Railway. Passenger transport was discontinued in September 1960. Freight traffic on the Slakteriet – Visby port route ran until May 1962. The last sections of the port track in Visby were removed in March 1964. Visby railway station, just south of the Söderport on Söderväg, was completed in 1878 and is one of the few remaining vestiges of the railway in Visby.{{cite web|last=Ragnar|first=Martin|url=http://www.gotlandstaget.se/historia/gj.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110822075643/http://www.gotlandstaget.se/historia/gj.htm|title=Gotlands Järnväg – GJ 1878–1960|language=sv|website=www.Gotlandstaget.se|archive-date=22 August 2011|access-date=16 November 2011}}

Near Visby, there is the static inverter plant for the first HVDC interconnection of a windpark (HVDC Visby–Näs).

File:Visby-Almedalen (2005).jpg

During the first week of July, Visby is the scene of the Almedalen Week, an important forum 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.{{cite web|title=History of Almedalen Week|url=http://www.almedalsveckan.info/6911|website=www.almedalsveckan.info|publisher=Region Gotland|access-date=1 February 2015|archive-date=20 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171020094327/http://www.almedalsveckan.info/6911|url-status=dead}}

In August, the tourist season is at its peak. During week 32, from Sunday to Sunday, the annual Medieval Week on Gotland is held. During this week, regularly dressed tourists are outnumbered by people that are dressed in Medieval costumes. The festival started in 1984 and comprises a variety of events including music, jesters, theatre, a medieval market, and jousting tournaments.{{cite news |last1=Vinthagen Simpson |first1=Peter |title=Visby Medieval Week offers 'full on experience' |url=http://www.thelocal.se/20130726/49152 |newspaper=The Local |date=26 July 2013 |access-date=1 February 2015}}

The headquarters of the World Ecological Forum is located in Visby.{{cite web|title=World Ecological Forum|url=http://www.worldecologicalforum.com/contact-us/|website=www.worldecologicalforum.com|publisher=World Ecological Forum|access-date=1 February 2015}}

Visby is home to the Baltic Centre for Writers and Translators and Visby International Centre for Composers.{{cite web|title=Welcome to Visby International Centre for Composers|url=http://vicc.se/|publisher=VICC|access-date=27 January 2018}}{{cite web|title=About BCWT|url=http://www.bcwt.org/1368|publisher=Baltic Center for Writers and Translators|access-date=27 January 2018}}

Swedish author Mari Jungstedt set nine detective novels on the island of Gotland. The principal character, DS Anders Knutas, is based at police headquarters in Visby, and there are numerous descriptive passages of the city and the island.

Hayao Miyazaki noted that Visby is the main visual inspiration for the town in Kiki's Delivery Service, with elements of other locations such as Stockholm also blended in.{{cite video|people= Hayao Miyazaki (director)|date=3 February 2010|title=Creating Kiki's Delivery Service|type= DVD|language=en, ja|publisher=Disney Presents Studio Ghib}}

In 1971, Ingmar Bergman filmed The Touch (Beröringen) with Bibi Andersson, Max von Sydow and Elliott Gould in Visby.{{cite web|title=Beröringen (1971)|url=http://www.sfi.se/sv/svensk-filmdatabas/Item/?type=MOVIE&itemid=4876&ref=%2ftemplates%2fSwedishFilmSearchResult.aspx%3fid%3d1225%26epslanguage%3dsv%26searchword%3dber%c3%b6ringen%26type%3dMovieTitle%26match%3dBegin%26page%3d1%26prom%3dFalse|website=www.sfi.se|publisher=Swedish Film Institute|access-date=6 July 2016}}

Visby is referenced in the Yorushika song, "Rain with Cappuccino".{{Cite web|title=ヨルシカ - 雨とカプチーノ(Official Video) - YouTube|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PWbRleMGagU| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/PWbRleMGagU| archive-date=2021-12-11 | url-status=live|access-date=2021-01-15|website=www.youtube.com}}{{cbignore}}

The following sports clubs are located in Visby:

• Endre IF (floorball)
• Visby Ladies (women's basketball)
• Visby IBK (floorball)
• Visby/Roma HK (ice hockey)
• FC Gute (football)
• IFK Visby (football)
• Visby AIK (football)
• Visby Klätterklubb (Climbing)

Motorcycle speedway took place at the Gamla Speedway Track in Galgberget (directly opposite the junction of Hangarvägen and Lummelundsväg). The venue existed from 1951 until 2007 and hosted the Bysarna speedway team, who were four times league champions of Sweden.{{cite web |url=http://www.historyspeedway.nstrefa.pl/dmszwecji.php |title=HISTORICAL RESULTS 1948–2015 |website=Speedway History |access-date=18 January 2024}}{{cite web |url=https://www.svenskalag.se/bysarna |title=Home page |website=Bysarna Speedway official website |access-date=18 January 2024}}

{{Main|List of people of Gotland}}

A number of notable people have originated from Visby, they are included in the Gotland list.

;History

File:Fornsalen - Hafen von Visby.jpg|Reconstruction of Visby harbour during the Middle Ages

File:Visby 16arh.jpg|Visby as seen on an engraving from {{Circa|1580}}

File:Suecia 3-034 ; Visby.jpg|Visby circa 1700, in Suecia Antiqua et Hodierna

File:Wisby. Stadsvy , 1800-talets andra hälft, med Visby domkyrka - Nordiska museet - NMA.0091069.jpg|City view including Visby Cathedral in the second half of the 19th century

;Main sights

File:Visby Dom v O.JPG|Visby Cathedral, view from the east

File:Visby ringmur östra delen norrut.jpg|City wall of Visby

File:St Nicolaus kyrkoruin Visby Gotland.jpg|Ruins of St. Nicholas' Church

File:Ruine St.Drotten 2.jpg|Ruins of St. Drotten's Church

;General views

File:Gatumiljo fran Visby, Gotland, Sverige, Johannes Jansson (1).jpg|The old pharmacy, Strandgatan

File:Liljehornska huset.jpg| The Liljehornska house, Strandgatan

File:Gråbrodern 4 Hultgrenska huset St Hansgatan Visby Gotland.jpg|The Hultgrenska house, St Hansgatan

File:Norra murgatan 38, Visby, Gotland.jpg|Norra Murgatan

File:Stora Torget och Södra Kyrkogatan, Visby.jpg|The Main Square and Södra Kyrkogatan

;Visby harbour

{{Panorama

|image = File:Visby harbour panorama.jpg

|fullwidth = 22000

|fullheight = 1768

|caption = Panorama image of Visby harbour, April 2008

|height = 230

}}

• Galgberget, Visby
• Gotland Museum
• List of churches and chapels on Gotland
• List of governors of Gotland County
• List of people of Gotland

{{reflist}}

• {{cite book |last1=Björkander |first1=Adolf |url=https://runeberg.org/bavisbyhi/ |title=Till Visby stads äldsta historia. Ett kritiskt bidrag |publisher=ALMQVIST & WIKSELLS BOKTRYCKERI-AKTIEBOLAG |year=1898 |isbn= |location=Uppsala |page= |language=sv-SE |url-access= |via=Project Runeberg}}

{{Commons}}

{{Wikivoyage|Visby}}

• [http://www.gotland.info/language/eng/gotland-visby-information.php Gotland Tourist Association] – Visby
• [http://www.visbysweden.com/ Visby – a world heritage town]
• {{Wikisource-inline|list=
• {{cite EB9 |wstitle = Wisby |volume= XXIV | page= |short=1 }}
• {{Cite NIE|wstitle=Wisby|short=x|noicon=x}}
• {{cite EB1911|wstitle=Visby|volume=28|short=x|noicon=x}}
• {{Cite Collier's|wstitle=Wisby|short=x|noicon=x}}

}}

{{Gotland County}}

{{Swedish Seats}}

{{Hanseatic League}}

{{World Heritage Sites in Sweden}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:County seats in Sweden

Category:Members of the Hanseatic League

Category:Municipal seats of Gotland County

Category:Populated places in Gotland County

Category:Port cities and towns of the Baltic Sea

Category:Romanesque architecture in Sweden

Category:Swedish municipal seats

Category:World Heritage Sites in Sweden

Category:Viking Age populated places

Category:Coastal cities and towns in Sweden

Category:Pirate dens and locations

Category:Cities in Gotland County