Hanseatic city of Visby

Visby

Visby, on the island Gotland, is one of the best-preserved Hanseatic cities and is listed by UNESCO as World Heritage. The town wall, the many church ruins and warehouses, and narrow lanes bear witness of the Hanse era. The Artlenburg Privilege of 1161 – a treaty between the Gotlanders and the German Duke Henry the Lion is often considered as starting point of the powerful Hanseatic League. In 1231 Visby had two city councils and two mayors, one Gotlandic and one German. This shows the importance of Visby in the early Hanseatic era. Visby had a leading roll until the mid-14^th century and was then one of the most powerful cities in Northern Europe. Today Visby is a popular destination with welcoming hotels, excellent restaurants, interesting museums and numerous boutiques making Visby worth a visit all year round.