Lovers of antiquities will find a delightful discovery on the island of Gotland located right smack in the middle of the Baltic Sea, 136 miles away from Stockholm. It may sound like a long way to go but it is really nothing more than a 3-hour ferry ride from the mainland and it is only 35 minutes by plane if you are in a hurry. The medieval city of Visby provides visitors with a plethora of attractions, a down history lane, and some spectacular island scenery as well.
A walled city is mandatory for any medieval enthusiast. Visby will certainly not disappoint if this is what you are looking for. The town walls are one of the most visited attractions in the area. You will get to see everything you find interesting and so much more. Whether you want to traverse centuries-old cobblestone thoroughfares, past medieval gates and up the once mighty turrets, take a look at medieval architecture or survey the damage caused by the Danes on the seemingly unbreachable fortification, you will get to do all these either with a local guide or on your own during a walking tour of the old town.
Those who are in for a full exploration of Visby should take the challenge of the Ringmurrer - the wall's perimeter which covers a distance of about two and a quarter miles. It can be a little exhausting, but the 800 years of history etched in every detail of the historical site and the interesting back stories that go with them will keep you perked up all the way through your tour.
The 27 towers standing sentry all throughout the walls all date back to the 1200s with the Powder Tower the oldest of them all. However, one particular tower calls for the most attention - the Maiden's Tower. It is so named because of a legendary girl who was walled up alive in the tower as a punishment for helping a Danish king to breach the city's walls.
Those who are interested in visiting churches will find only one, out of the original 17, that is still in use today. It is the Domkyrkan or popularly referred to as the Cathedral of St. Mary. Nearby, you will find the ruins of the Dominican Monastery whose rose window still demand a closer look. The remainder of the churches are either in ruins or have been made into a museum or a venue for cultural performances.
Visby also houses more than a few museums that are all worth checking out. Start out with Gotlands Fornsal for a more insightful glimpse at the history of the island. It is located on the picturesque street of Strandgatan whose line of step-gabled houses is also an attraction in itself. Inside the museum you will view almost 8,000 years worth of collections on display. Other notable museums include the Gotland Museum of Art and the Museum of Natural History.
For a breath of fresh air and a perfect location to rest your weary feet, go northwest of Visby and drop by the Botanical Garden. Inside delight in a stunning display of beautiful roses climbing the walls and decorating the gardens. There is no better way to rejuvenate after long hours of walking around.
To complete your medieval excursion, how about watching a Shakespearean play with Swedish dialog? Take a short drive to the ruins of the Roma Monastery and you'll find it transformed into a theatre with an exuberant group of artists delivering Shakespeare in the local tongue.
Finally, to better appreciate the medieval heritage of Visby, timing is most crucial. If possible, visit during the month of August when the city is celebrating its Medieval Week. With the setting, revelers in period costumes and everything else medieval inspired, it is not impossible to imagine that you are in fact caught up in a Middle Ages time warp.
Sunee is author of this article on Hotels in Thailand.
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