Gotland Hotels Wisby Hotel

ALMADALEN

DALMANSPORTEN,VISBY

Gotland is Swedens largest island, but in many respects it is a completely separate country. It offers an exciting and varied environment, a meeting place between sea and land, nature and culture, past and present.

Visby is Gotlands capital, a pearl in the Baltic Sea that gained World Heritage status in 1995. For thousands of years, businessmen, landowners,

Vikings, kings and noblemen have visited Visby. The city grew rich as a member of the Hanseatic League, and became one of the leading cities in the Baltic Region in the 12th and 13th centuries. The citys medieval architecture was domintated by majestic stone buildings, of which almost 200 survive today either partially or fully intact. Merchants houses with elegant stepped gables and Gothic façade decorations still stand proudly in various parts of the city. Visby is also noted for its many 17th and 18th century half-timber and thatched houses.

Visitors exploring Visby alone often start in Almedalen. Once the citys harbour, Almedalen is now a beautiful park with a duckpond and both tourists and residents enjoy the greenery.

Visbys city wall is approximately 3.4 km long and 11 metres high, and has three main gates. Thirty-six of its towers still stand, some open for public.

A great way to spend the day isto go exploring in the network of charming narrow lanes in the ancient Visby town center. Fishermans Lane (Fiskargränd), with its enchanting roses, is Visbys most famous and photographed location. The Cathedral, the city walls and the old ruins stretch proudly skywards as reminders of a past age. Theoldest original church ruin is Helgeandsruinen with its octagonal, two-storey longhouse.

Sankta Maria Cathedral, dating from the late 12th century, dominates the townscape. Those who climb the long stairway beside the church to Klinten are rewarded with a spectacular view of the town and sea. Klinten is as pretty as a postcard with its small, low, houses covered with roses. This 19th century workers quarter has become a popular and exclusive residential area. For an overview of Gotlands 8,000-year history, dont miss Gotlands Fornsal Museum on Strandgatan.

Gotland Is An Island Of Contrasts.

Furthest north is Fårö, famous for its stone walls framing the open landscape, vast stretches of limestone stacks along the coast, lambgiftar (sheep shelters), beach sheds, and Ulla Hau nature reserve with its enormous sand dunes. Fårö has long attracted artists, authors, politicians and film directors with its special light and unique settings.

Gotlands northern and western coasts feature rocky limestone cliffs and vast rubble beaches. From Djupvik and Klintehamn, you can visit Lilla Karlsö and Stora Karlsö, two fascinating islands with magnificent

nature, unusual flora and rich birdlife. Stora Karlsö is the worlds second-oldest nature reserve. It has the Baltics leading bird sanctuary, with tens of thousands of guillemots and razorbills.

Eastern Gotland is renowned for its inviting sandy beaches, savannah-like landscapes, juniper-clad heaths

and spectacular sunrises. Southern Gotland offers shady greenery and enchanting meadowland. Gotlands southernmost point boasts the famous limestone stack, the Hoburg Man.

Gotland has several beautifully loca-ted golf courses for all levels from beginners to top players. Other po-pular leisure activities include fishing, sea kayaking and cycling, as well as theatre and concerts. Gotland offers a vast range of events, including several annual fixtures like the popular Medieval Week.