Visby

Perfectly poised along the ancient trade route between Western Europe and Russia, Visby is known to have been an important trade center right from the Viking era. The Hanseatic town of Visby is today one of the best preserved medieval walled towns of Northern Europe, and has been a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1995. Encompassed within the confines of the ancient town walls are a number of church ruins, storehouses, homes and other structures that have survived since their completion between the 12th and 14th Centuries. The layout of the town itself has remained largely unaltered, creating a modern-day settlement that has remained true to its roots; a town that is in itself a chronicle of the lives and lifestyles of those who have resided here since its establishment. Although the structures have been modified over the years to suit the changing needs of the townsfolk, the newer additions have been seamlessly interwoven with their medieval origins. Due to its location on the island of Gotland, Visby is only accessible via air or sea. It is today a popular vacation spot for Scandinavians and attracts a multitude of tourists each year who are drawn in by its scenic beauty, culture and historical heritage.