The largest island in the Baltic Sea, Gotland, is located 90 km from the east coast of the mainland and 130 km west from the coast of Latvia. It is a limestone plateau with numerous karst formations, its average height above sea level is 30-50 m. Several islands surrounding it are also included in Gotland, although this group of islands is not considered an archipelago.

The Goths are a German people of Scandinavian origin, formed in the II-IX centuries. Migration of a part of the Goths (Ostrogoths) in the II century. to mainland Europe, some historians consider it a catalyst for the era of the Great Migration of Nations, the main events of which took place in the 4th-7th centuries, starting from 375, when the nomadic Huns who came from the East destroyed the Dacia that existed in the historical region, between the Tisza, the Danube, Dniester and Carpathians, a state created by the Ostrogoths, who came here from the south of present-day Sweden and the island of Gotland. This area is the historian of the VI century. Jordanes, a notary in the Eastern Roman Empire, referring to Ptolemy, called Scandza.
It is believed that the Goths (Guts, Gets, Yots, Gauts) and Svei were the creators of the ethnic group Svenskar (Swedes). (The Finns and Saami also participated in this ethnogenesis, but to a lesser extent.) Some ethnologists believe, however, that the Goths and Goths are different tribes. One way or another, but on the island of Gotland, the Goths survived until the end of the Middle Ages. And even now their language is actively living here, which is considered a dialect of Swedish, but this, of course, is not its ancient Gutnish version.
About the settlement of the island, the collection of legends “Gotsaga” says: “Gotland was first found by a man whose name was Tjelvar. Then Gotland was so bewitched that it sank under water during the day and surfaced at night. That man was the first to bring fire to the island, and it has never been lowered since.” Geologists confirm that the island was indeed completely submerged several times in prehistoric times. For archaeologists, Gotland is an inexhaustible field of research. The earliest burials here date back to the Neolithic period. The greatest interest from the monuments of 1500-500 years. BC e. represent stone labyrinths over the graves. From the middle of the VI century. the islanders began to use the sail, and this marked the beginning of the trading period in the history of the island. In the IX-XI centuries. the Gotland Vikings have already taken key positions as trade intermediaries in the Baltic Sea and more widely - between the West and East of Europe. Stone steles with ancient Viking runes are found throughout the island. Their merchant ships - knorrs, adapted for portage, reached the shores of England and the Black Sea. Near the main harbor of the island in the X century. began to grow the city of Visby. He had especially close trade ties with Novgorod. At the end of the XI century. in Novgorod there was even the Goth Gostiny Dvor, the trade was in furs, hemp, and timber. Novgorodians also often visited the island. At that time it was also a kind of financial exchange. This is evidenced by the huge number of silver coins, not only European, but also Arabic and Persian, which are still found in hoards (over 700 found) in Gotland.
In 1358, Visby created the Hanseatic League, the center of which was Visby, but soon Lübeck removed him from this role. In 1361, Gotland was captured by the Danish king Valdemar Atterdag, killing about 2,000 landowners (bonds). And this is not the only misfortune of the island in the XIV century, there was also a plague, crop failures, in 1394 a capture by pirates (why such a large number of treasures appeared - they hid money). The pirates were expelled by the Teutonic knights of the Livonian Order, and in 1408 the island was handed over to the Danish Queen Margrethe. Eric Pomeransky, head of the union of Denmark, Sweden and Norway, after the collapse of this alliance in 1436, settled in Gotland and started building the castle of Visby, imposing heavy taxes on the peasants. Eric then handed over Gotland to the Danish king Christian I. What followed was a story of endless tug-of-war over the commercial interests of Denmark and Sweden in Gotland. Until, in 1645, peace was concluded between them in Brömsebro and Gotland did not become definitively Swedish.
Visby is the only city in Gotland. And there are no villages in the generally accepted sense of the word: people are used to living in farms. Fishermen live more or less compactly. The actual centers of the towns of Gotland marked on the map are small churches, as well as post offices (where they are).
Gotland is often referred to as "the island of roses and orchids". There is no exaggeration here, lush rose gardens on the island are everywhere where people live, since Gotland is the sunniest region in Sweden. The nearby branch of the Gulf Stream creates a relatively warm (for the Baltic Sea) microclimate, there are many peat bogs that were drained in the 18th-19th centuries. swamps, and hard-working Swedes lovingly care for flowers. They say that flowering bushes in other years are found here even in early December. Orchids also grow in the wild: local carbonate soils are the best for them.
The Baltic craton (a large crystalline slab of the earth's crust) formed in the Southern Hemisphere, drifting westward, crossed the equator about 375 million years ago and stopped where it is now about 30 million years ago. Thus, the famous limestone pillars of Gotland, the raukara, are about 400 million years old. Fossilized remains of organisms and tropical plants of the Silurian period are found in them. Then glaciers, winds and water worked on the shape of these rocks. Most of all raukars are on the northern and southern coasts of Gotland, as well as on the island of Fore.
The most famous resident of Gotland (more precisely, Fore) - a classic of cinematography director Ingmar Bergman (1918-2007) - shot raukars in the film Through the Glass Dimly. This is one of seven paintings by the master, which included landscapes of Gotland. Ostrov was, one might say, his co-author in revealing through visual metaphors the main theme of the film artist's work - the relationship of a person of the 20th century. to Christian truths. The same topic worried the famous Russian film director Andrei Tarkovsky (1932-1986), who considered himself a student of Bergman. On Gotland, he shot his last film - "The Sacrifice".
The connection of times for the inhabitants of Gotland is the most important concept. They will not fail to emphasize at any opportunity that they understand the value of history better than other Swedes. Every year for 30 years, on the first Sunday in August, Visby begins the "Medieval Week": a festival that hosts theatrical performances, costumed processions, "knight" tournaments and archery competitions, as well as fairs of local handicrafts and products. During this week, you can listen to medieval music, learn to spin, weave, juggle, and even try your hand at blacksmithing. There are quite a few similar festivals oriented primarily towards tourists in Western Europe. Gotlandic has its own unique face: clothes worn by locals are mostly authentic, from the chests of great-great-great-great-ancestors (or its exact copy, but made by hand). The armor of the knights is forged, although in our time, but according to ancient technologies. You will not see any plastic Chinese stampings and suits made of synthetic fabrics here.
It is believed that there were once about 100 churches on Gotland. When the Goths adopted Christianity in 1030, each landowner considered it a matter of honor to have his own church parish. Most of the most ancient churches were destroyed by the Germans and pirates in the 16th-17th centuries, now they are ruins, however, very picturesque, conserved with the help of modern building materials, neatly fenced.

general information

The largest island in(southeast Sweden), together with the adjacent islands of Fore, Gotska-Sandön, Lilla-Karlsø, Stora-Karlsø and other, smaller islets, is included in the historical region and flax (equivalent to the concepts of "province", "region") Gotland .

Administrative center and port: Visby - 22,593 people (2011).
Languages: Swedish, as well as its Gotlandic dialect.

Ethnic composition: Swedes.
Religion: Protestantism.

Currency unit: Swedish krona.

largest lake: Bösteströk.
Major airport: Stockholm-Arlanda International Airport.

The island is connected to Stockholm by a ferry line.

Numbers

The area of ​​the island of Gotland: 2994 km2.

Gotland county area: 3183.7 km2.

Lena population: 57,221 (2009).

Lena population density: 18 persons/km 2 .

highest point: Leustahed hill (83 m).

Length: about 125 km.

Width: 40-50 km.

Coastal length in total: about 800 km.

Climate and weather

Moderate maritime.

January average temperature: +3°С.

July average temperature: +17.8°С.

Average annual rainfall: 550 mm.

Economy

Development of limestone deposits.

Agriculture: cultivation of cereals, potatoes, vegetables, floriculture, cultivation of truffles (mushrooms), meat and dairy farming, sheep breeding, farm cheese production.

Fishing.
Services sector: passenger navigation, tourism.

Attractions

■ City of Visby- UNESCO World Heritage Site: fortress wall (XII-XIV centuries; 3.5 km long with 44 towers, inside it are the ruins of 12 medieval churches), the Cathedral of St. Mary (Romanesque basilica, construction - XII-XIII centuries), medieval city buildings, Gotland Museum, archaeological museum, botanical garden.
■ Ancient burial sites and runestones.
■ Raukars "Jungfryun"(“Our Lady”), “Hunden” (“Dog”), “Huburgsgubben” (this is the name of a good troll) and others.
■ Lummelund Cave.
■ natural parks: Langhammar on the northwestern coast of the island (raukars) Jokstakusten - a four-kilometer stretch of the Baltic Sea coast in the area of ​​​​the islands of Big and Small Karlsö, Digerhuvud, in which the fishing village of Helgumann (Fore Island) is located.
■ Gotska Sandön National Park(on the island of the same name).
■ viking village, recreating the life and way of life of the 9th century. (town of Toft).
■ Villerküll(Villa "Chicken"), the house in which the film based on the book by Astrid Lindgren "Pippi Longstocking" was filmed in 1970, a small and cheerful museum dedicated to the adventures of the girl Pippi and her friends (Kneipby township, not far from Visby).

Curious facts

■ In Visby there are two very small, about 10-12 m long, Novgorodskaya and Russkaya streets. And many other narrow streets in the old part of the city - about the same length or a little more.
■ A sheep is a symbol of Gotland, its image is also on the coat of arms of the island. The Gotland breed of sheep was bred as a result of crossing a local breed with sheep of the Romanov and Karakul breeds brought from Russia in the 18th century.

■ In the small churches of the towns of Garda and Chelyeg in the center of the island, frescoes have been preserved, partly made by Novgorod masters of the 12th-13th centuries. So, in the church of Garda, Russian saints, noble princes Boris and Gleb are depicted.
■ The most famous karst cave system in Gotland, Lummelund, was first explored in 1948 by three schoolchildren.
■ The glory of Gotland as a "treasure island" haunts treasure hunters and other "black diggers". Importing metal detectors to the island is prohibited. However, coins and ancient silver jewelry from Gotland regularly appear at international auctions.

Gotland - "the land of the ready" - got its name from the indigenous tribes that have lived here since time immemorial. The Goths (Guts) spoke the ancient Gutnish language. The ancient legends recorded in Gutasag tell of an enchanted island that sank under water during the day and surfaced at night (now it is clear why the first serial submarines with electric engines were called "Gotland"). Regular dives of the island continued until the appearance of a man named Tjelvar in these places. He brought fire with him, which miraculously caused the island to settle on the surface. The first settler had three grandsons from his son Khavdi and daughter-in-law White Star - Graip, Guti and Gunnfyaun, who, according to the will of their father, received the northern, middle and southern parts of the island, respectively.

Archaeologists claim that Gotland has been inhabited since the Stone Age. The artifacts found indicate that the main occupation of the inhabitants was fishing and seal hunting. During the period of the Iron and Bronze Ages (I-V centuries), the pagan Goths had a very developed funeral cult, which is reminiscent of arks made of huge boulders (for moving to another world), stone labyrinths (as a place to say goodbye to the dead), as well as huge steles with drawings and inscriptions. In the VI century there was a mysterious decrease in the number of islanders. Gutasaga explains this by the fact that the population that has grown numerically has ceased to have enough food. It was decided that part of the inhabitants should leave the island and move to areas on the mainland.

In the 9th-11th centuries (the Viking Age), an active trading life was seething on the island. Relations were maintained with the lands of Western and Eastern Europe. In Novgorod, the Goths had their own residence (Gutagard) and even with time the church of St. Olaf was built. The richness of the island can be judged by the numerous treasures found (more than 700). An interesting fact is that the number of Arab coins from the Gotland caches exceeds the number of similar finds in the territories of all Muslim states combined. The trade Silver-fur route passed through Gotland. The system of convenient harbors made it possible to receive a large number of ships. In one of these areas, the city of Visby, the main city of the island, arose. The end of the Viking Age was marked by the adoption of Christianity.

From the 12th to the 14th centuries, 95 stone churches were built (92 have survived and are still in use today!). Around 1200, Slavic masters painted one of the cathedrals, where frescoes depicting Russian saints Boris and Gleb are still in excellent condition. The rich city became very attractive to foreign merchants who tried to squeeze out local merchants. In 1288, there was a major conflict between the inhabitants of Visby and the German merchants, in which the townspeople won. By decision of the Swedish king Magnus Ladulos, Visby acquired the rights of a free city, which grew rich thanks to powerful guilds. The 14th century was especially disastrous for the island. Due to crop failures and plague epidemics, its population has significantly decreased.

In 1361, Gotland was captured by the troops of the King of Denmark, Valdemar Atterdag, who were opposed by almost the entire rural population, whose losses amounted to about 2 thousand people. Subsequently, Gotland passes from one ruler to another, which did little to promote stability and prosperity: it was captured by pirates, the Livonian Order liberated it, for some time the territory was transferred to the Danish Queen Margeta, Gotland was elected by the exiled king Eric Pomeranian for a temporary residence and in 1645 finally became a Swedish possession. During the Russo-Swedish War (1808-1809), the island was declared part of the Russian Empire, and Russian army units were stationed here for several months. The ladies were delighted with the way the gallant Russian officers danced and spoke French.

In the 19th century, agricultural production was revived - agriculture and cattle breeding (these industries still form the basis of the island economy today). No wonder the coat of arms of Gotland, which has existed since the 13th century, flaunts a ram with a waving flag. Limestone was actively mined. By the end of the century, Gotland became an economically developed province, which was greatly facilitated by the laid railway. The coast of the island became a fashionable resort for the Swedish nobility. Today tourism is one of the priority types of local business activity.

Scandinavian mothers and grandmothers tell a very beautiful legend to their children and grandchildren about a beautiful island that every evening dives into the water of the Baltic Sea along with the sun. And with the first rays at dawn, it is reborn again in an even more beautiful form. This beautiful fairy tale is about the island of Gotland, which is located a hundred kilometers from the coast of Sweden.

Historical digression

The island of Gotland in the Baltic Sea has a long history. Its main city, Visby, is called the last stronghold of the Middle Ages. Its thousand-year history goes back to the Stone Age, which is confirmed by numerous archaeological finds and the remains of fishermen's settlements. The Viking Age became the heyday of trade, and in the early Middle Ages, merchants from the island had trading yards in the nearest large cities, and even in Nizhny Novgorod. During the heyday of the island of Gotland (Sweden), churches up to 50 meters high were built here.

But at the end of the thirteenth century, difficult times began. The island changed hands several times. At one time, it was owned by the knights of the Livonian Order, then Denmark and even the Swedish king Eric Pomeranian. But in 1679, the island of Gotland in the Baltic Sea was annexed to Sweden, in which, as a province, it remains to this day.

Gord Visby

At present, Visby, of course, cannot boast of perfectly preserved architectural monuments. Unfortunately, time and war spare no one. But still, some historical sights have survived to this day - the fortress wall and the Cathedral of St. Mary of the 13th century.

The church is famous in the area for its choir organ. It is visible from afar, it is she who is the first to be seen by everyone who arrives on the island. In the central part of the city, you can see the fortress wall, which was built during the period of aggravation of relations between the German merchants and the population of the city. It completely surrounds the historic center of Visby. Its length is about three and a half kilometers. It has forty-four towers of various sizes, and they are much better preserved than other similar European buildings of those times.

The medieval spirit of the city is complemented by the inimitable smell of rose bushes, of which an incredible amount will grow here. Red tiled roofs are in harmony with the stone pavers and lancet towers.

Haunted Hotel

On the island of Gotland, the most popular hotel is located in an old building of the twelfth century. The institution boasts medieval interiors and its own ghost, which lives here, according to local residents. The benevolent spirit belongs to a nun who once lived within these walls.

Sheep are the symbol of Gotland. The figure of this animal is depicted even on the coat of arms. In general, there are a lot of sheep here, whole flocks walk through the emerald fields.

What is interesting about the island for tourists?

The largest island in Sweden, Gotland, is appreciated by vacationers for its wonderful mild climate, beautiful sandy beaches and unique landscape. No wonder it is called the "Baltic Pearl".

The geological age of Gotland is quite solid. The island is made up of rocky rocks that accumulated in the tropical sea about 400 million years ago. Minerals are still found on the coast to this day. In the south and north of the island of Gotland, limestone comes to the surface, while the vegetation in these places is rather sparse. Here, high limestone cliffs with huge flocks of birds cut through the sandy beaches, which are chosen by tourists. Near the coast there are numerous cliffs of bizarre shapes, called raukars. It is near them that a lot of tourists always gather, who want to capture this unique creation of nature as a keepsake.

The island is characterized by warm and long autumns with mild winters. Climatic conditions allow apricots and walnuts to survive in protected areas. At least 35 varieties of orchids can be found in local meadows, blooming by mid-summer. Gotland does not have a very extensive world of mammals. Sometimes you can meet fallow deer, ponies, as well as wild rabbits and foxes here.

How to get to the island of Gotland?

Getting to the island is not at all difficult. Regular flights from St. Petersburg and Moscow will take any traveler to Stockholm. From here, by car or by bus, you need to get to the town of Nineshamn (it's about 60 kilometers), from which ferries depart for Gotland. Three and a half hours later you reach Visby. This path may seem quite tiring to some, so there is a faster way to get to the island. There is air service between Gotland and the mainland. From Stockholm airport there are direct flights to Visby. And in the summer, there are additional flights from other Swedish cities and even neighboring countries.

You can travel around the island by minibuses and buses, taxis. And for more comfort, you can rent a car or a moped. Having your own transport, you can actively move between the provinces of Gotland.

Gotland Hotels

Going on an excursion to the island of Gotland, every traveler will be interested in the question of accommodation. It is worth noting that in terms of hotel infrastructure, the island has been very successful, so there are a large number of various hotels, guest houses, village cottages, apart-hotels, campsites on the coast, boarding houses, holiday villages and even democratic hostels at the service of vacationers. During the tour to the island of Gotland, you can choose accommodation for any budget.

Most of the more modern hotels are located directly in Visby. Among them, it is worth highlighting Hotel Villa Borgen and Visby Hamnhotell. Both establishments offer fairly good and comfortable living conditions at a reasonable price.

According to tourists, the Jacobs Hotel Gotland has proven itself well, which is designed in the spirit of a boutique hotel and is perfect for a romantic and family vacation. Renting an apartment in a hotel will cost about 750 euros per week. Homely cozy rooms are made in the national style, which will allow you to plunge into the atmosphere of the island.

On the east coast of Gotland, there is a small hotel equipped with only 17 rooms. Fabriken Furillen has apartments in the main building and forest cottages. Accommodation in such a hotel will appeal to those who are looking for unity with nature away from civilization. The cost of apartments in the hotel starts from 250 euros.

Good hotels can also be found on the coast, for those who want to relax in silence. The cottage complex Stelor Hotel is made in a characteristic farmer's style. It is located just five minutes from the sea. The hostess herself feeds her guests, preparing local traditional dishes. The cost of renting a cottage starts from 240 euros per day.

Open-air museum

There are many villages on the island, each of which has something interesting to offer. The best time to visit Gotland is from May to the end of September. In summer, most of the days here are sunny, and the weather is conducive to traveling around the island. One of those places worth visiting on the island of Gotland is the open-air museum in Bunga.

It was founded in 1907. The idea of ​​its creation was discussed for a long time. The establishment was eventually established on land owned by the church in Bunga. Historical buildings from all the villages on the island began to be brought here. It is worth noting that the historical museum in the village of Bunge is considered one of the largest in Sweden. It includes a complex of buildings designed in the form of three courtyards. On the territory of the museum you can see farms of the seventeenth-eighteenth centuries, mills, houses covered with sedge. The center of the exposition is the crucifix, it was around it in the old days that people gathered for general prayer. The museum is interesting because you can enter all the buildings, and the decoration of the houses is the furniture of those times. An interesting fact is that it is the most visited place on the island by tourists.

Foret Island

Fore Island, located near Gotland, is one of the must-see places for travelers to visit. Its population is about 500 people. You can get to the island by ferry. Not so long ago, it was closed to the public, as military installations were located on it. But now Foret is open to tourists. Its main attractions are unique raukars of various shapes. These bizarre creations, reminiscent of lunar landscapes, became the creation of the Ice Age.

The attractions of Fore include Sudersand beach and Digerhuvud (natural reservation). There are also man-made objects on the island. A nineteenth-century lighthouse and the home of the very famous director Ingmar Bergman, who lived here for the last decades of his life, have been preserved here.

Church in Bunga

On the island of Gotland (photos are given in the article) there is an incredible number of churches. Guests may be interested in the medieval Lutheran building in Bünge, which belongs to the Diocese of Visby. Several excavations have been carried out here, the results of which indicate that there was once a Romanesque temple dating back to the twelfth century on the same site. Its building was more like a fortress, behind the walls of which the inhabitants hid from pirates. Only a part of the tower has survived from its former grandeur to this day, the frescoes of which show pictures of battles.

Ruma Abbey

The sights of the island of Gotland are of genuine interest to all connoisseurs of historical monuments. One of these places are the ruins of Ruma Abbey, located southeast of Visby. The building once belonged to the Cistercian monks. The monastery here was founded in 1163. It included churches, from which only ruins remained, and outbuildings. The abbey prospered incredibly in the early thirteenth century. He owned numerous farms and lands not only on the island, but also on the mainland, including in Estonia. But later changes came and for a century the abbey defended its property. Gradually, it lost all its possessions and, after the last reform, it was turned into an ordinary garden farm.

Church of Lebrou

Lebrou is another small town in Gotland. Its main symbol and attraction is the ancient temple. The stone structure of the Middle Ages is distinguished by a tower that served for defensive purposes. The church and the tower were built around the same time. But only a few details remained from the temple.

The modern church was attached to the northern part of the old building, and during its existence the building was repeatedly altered and supplemented. As a result, the temple acquired a slightly different look, which is exactly what it now appears to tourists. Even the interior of the church is complemented by antique furniture dating back to the 17th-18th centuries.

Entertainment in Gotland

Gotland is interesting not only for its architecture and Byzantine churches, but also for its beautiful, surprisingly diverse landscapes. One has only to drive a couple of kilometers outside the city, and you will see deciduous forests and places that are very reminiscent of the African savannah. On the island you can also see the graves of the Vikings from the Bronze and Iron Ages. There is always something to see in Gotland. History lovers can visit the spring asparagus festival, as well as reenactments of medieval tournaments, professional historical theater performances organized in the summer. From June to August, the Viking Village functions, which is a reconstructed village of the ninth century. It is located in the town of Toft. All visitors to the museum have a unique opportunity to take part in the amusements of those times and try their hand at baking.

Medieval Week is held annually from 6 to 13 August in Gotland. At this time, the Old Town seems to be transported several centuries into the past. Visiting the island at this time is quite interesting and entertaining.

With children, it is worth visiting the theme park of the famous character Pippi Longstocking. The complex offers guests 50 rides6 flying boat, roller coaster, merry-go-round villa where the famous movie was filmed and much more.

Tours to the island

Tours to Gotland are quite popular among tourists, and trips to the wonderful island are organized from different countries. To get to the island, you need to get to Stockholm, and then transfer to the ferry or go to the airport. Currently, tours to the island of Gotland from St. Petersburg are actively offered. For example, you can go on a four-day trip by a comfortable bus to Stockholm, where after the excursions you can transfer to the ferry. On such a trip, a whole day is devoted to exploring the island.

The Silja Europa cruise liner departs for the coast of Gotland from Helsinki and Tallinn in the summer. On board, tourists will find a lot of entertainment for children and adults, food and a spa center. And the excursion program around the island includes a sightseeing tour of Visby, a visit to Fore Island and Pippi Longstocking Park.

In general, in the modern tourist market there are many options for traveling to Gotland. It all depends on how many days you want to spend on it. The most daring travelers who have visited the island during cruises very often return here, having independently organized a trip. This makes it possible to travel around all the most interesting places in Gotland and neighboring islands, as well as fully enjoy the beauty of the stunning city of Visby. When planning such a trip, it is worth remembering that the island is worth visiting in the summer, and it is better if your trip takes place from mid-July to mid-August. At this time, there are many holidays with historical reconstructions that will plunge you headlong into the Middle Ages.

The largest island in the Baltic Sea is Gotland. It is about 100 km away from the mainland of Sweden and is the largest island of this country. The total area of ​​Gotland is 2994 square kilometers. The island is presented in the form of a plateau composed of sandstones and Silurian limestones. The highest point in Gotland is Loista Head (83 m). The prevailing heights on the island do not exceed 50 m. Visby is the main port and city of the island, where many attractions are concentrated.

History of the main city of the island

When exactly the main city of modern Gotland, Visby, was born, it is not known for certain. However, there are facts that indicate that the settlement existed here in the Stone Age. The Vikings were the first inhabitants of Visby. And the name of the settlement literally translates as "village near Vi."

The most active city began to develop in the Middle Ages. The 12th century was the time of the construction of numerous Christian churches. In the same period, various monastic orders erected many schools. However, none of these buildings have survived to our times, only ruins have remained from some of them. The greatest damage was done to the city's churches and schools during the Lübeck invasion of the island of Gotland in the 16th century. Then only the Cathedral of St. Mary managed to survive.

The heyday of Visby is the 13th century. Then the city was part of the mighty Hanseatic League, as well as the most important economic and commercial center of Europe. It was in those days that the construction of the fortress ring wall began, which today surrounds the Swedish town.

The 14th-16th centuries were marked for Visby by numerous troubles - plague, famine due to crop failures, invasions by the Swedish king, conquest by pirates, many years of enmity between local merchants and merchants from Lübeck, as a result of which the city was burned to the ground by the latter. Economic and cultural life in Visby was established only in the 19th century. This was due to the emergence of local residents' interest in their historical monuments. Today the city is a popular tourist resort among travelers from different parts of the world.

Raukari - the most famous natural attractions of Gotland

The fact that Gotland is the largest island in the Baltic Sea is not its only feature. Indeed, on its territory there are one of the most famous natural wonders of the world - raukars. They are presented in the form of bizarrely shaped pillars that amaze with their grandeur and beauty. Their formation was facilitated by such natural elements as water and wind, constantly affecting the coastal rocks. The largest raukar, which has the island of Gotland on its territory, is Hoburgsgubben. It is located at a distance of about 100 km from Visby. From a distance, this raukar resembles the head of an old man.

Not far from Lergrav Bay is the Lergrav raukomrade raukar area, which is 1000 meters long and 200 meters wide. Here vacationers love to wander, reflecting on the meaning of life. The most famous raukar in the area is Porten. Not far from here is a fishing village, where tourists often come to look at the preserved old furnace, in which lime was once burned.

Gotland Botanical Garden

The Botanical Garden is another famous attraction that the island of Gotland (Sweden) has on its territory. It was founded in 1856 by a society of bathers - a gentlemen's club formed for the purpose of charity. By the way, the first school and bank in Gotland were founded by the same society. The botanical garden is located next to the Gates of Love in the northwestern part of the city wall.

Tourists who visit the park between July and August have the opportunity to enjoy the aromas that come from the numerous herbs, trees and the rose garden. Plants exotic for the Scandinavian countries grow on the territory of the botanical garden, including mulberry, walnut, ginkgo and many others. Among the lush vegetation of the park are the ruins of the Church of St. Olaf and a pond with many water lilies, where visitors to the object like to relax.

Museums in Gotland

The Museum of History is another attraction located on the island of Gotland (Sweden). Everything about Gotland, or at least a lot, you can find out right here! The museum contains many archaeological finds of the Viking Age, exhibits of the Stone and Middle Ages, huge collections of silver and gold treasures. The permanent exhibition called Gotlandium provides visitors with comprehensive information about the formation of the island of Gotland, the gradual change in its landscape, and the features of the formation of raukars. The youngest tourists who come to the island of Gotland with their parents are delighted with what they see in the center of modern science - Phenomenalen.

Another place that deserves attention is the art gallery located in the center of Visby. It occupies a separate building erected in the middle of the century before last. The museum's collection includes the finest works of art that depict the beauty of Gotland. Often temporary exhibitions of contemporary artists are organized here.

Fans of rare vehicles should also visit the Automobile Museum, which was created by enthusiast Mats Andersson. Here you can see cars and motorcycles that were produced in the period from the 19th to the 20th century.

city ​​wall

The city wall is the brightest man-made object that the island of Gotland has on its territory. The sights of many other cities located in Northern Europe pale in comparison. The wall is 3.5 km long and 11 m high. It was built of sandstone at the end of the 13th century. The towers of the 12th-14th centuries decorate the wall, there are about 30 of them. The oldest is the Powder Tower (Kruttornet), whose height is 18 m. In the summer months, tourists have the opportunity to visit this object.

St. Mary and the ruins of the monastery of St. Nicholas

St. Mary's is the only object that has survived to this day, erected here in the Middle Ages. Moreover, worship services are held in it today. The cathedral is one of the most ancient buildings that have been preserved in the city of Visby, and, by the way, there are not so many of them. The church was erected in 1225 at the expense of merchants and sailors from Germany. In the same year it was consecrated by Bishop Berngt Magnusson of Linkoping. The cathedral was originally a Romanesque basilica with a western tower, an apse and a transept. However, as a result of numerous reconstructions, the church became larger in area, and two eastern towers and choirs appeared in it. The status of a cathedral was given to it in 1572.

There were many other holy places on the territory of Gotland, but nothing remained of most of them, and only ruins of some. It is among the latter that the monastery of St. Nicholas, founded in Visby in 1228, belongs. Today, among its ruins, theatrical and musical performances are often organized, and the Gotland Chamber Music Festival is held annually, which attracts lovers of this not only from Sweden, but also from many other countries of the world.

Gotland
Swede. Gotland
File:Topographic map of Gotland.svg
57°30' N. sh. 18°33′ E d. /  57.500° N sh. 18.550° E d. / 57.500; 18.550 Coordinates :
water areaBaltic Sea
A countrySweden 22x20px Sweden
RegionGotland
Square2994 km²
highest point82 m
Population (2012)56 717 people
Population density18,944 people/km²
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Geography

It is located about 100 km from mainland Sweden. Gotland, with an area of ​​2994 km², is the largest of the Swedish islands. Near Gotland lie the islands of Foro (113.3 km²), Gotska Sandön (36.54 km²), Lilla-Karlsø (1.39 km²), Stora-Karlsø (2.35 km²) and others, which are included in the Gotland flax . The island is a plateau composed of Silurian limestones and sandstones; the prevailing heights are 30-50 m, the highest point is Loista head (83 m). The main city and port is Visby. Settlements: Klintehamn, Burgsvik, Foresund, Hemse, Slite.

Story

More than 42 thousand different finds related to the ancient history of the island were made on the island. The earliest of them date back to the Stone Age and are the remains of fishing settlements. The Pit-Comb Ware culture and the later hybrid Kiukai culture existed on the island.

In the 15th century, Gotland continued to be a bone of contention between the Danish kings and the Swedish regents. The Lensmans, who owned the island, became virtually independent from time to time. And although the island was Danish most of the time, in church terms it was part of the Linköping diocese until the 1530s. Sweden recognized Gotland for Denmark only in 1570, after which, in 1572, it became one of the Danish dioceses.

In the 17th-18th centuries, the Old Gutnish language experienced a strong influence of the Swedish language, as a result of which the population switched to the New Gutnish dialect.

Up until 1645, Gotland was governed by the king and the royal chancellery through the Lensmans and Fogds. In the 1620s, the Gotland Merchant Company was founded on the island, whose trading interests for the most part covered the towns on the banks of the Sound. The lawlessness committed by the company led to rebellious moods on the island, in connection with which Christian IV abolished it.

Most modern inhabitants of Gotland speak the Gotlandic vernacular of modern Swedish.

Gotland in literature and cinema

In 1978, the Swedish writer Hans Björkegren published the book Aymund Bridge ( Bron vid Ajmunds), which tells about the period of occupation of the island by the Russian troops of Admiral Bodisko. In Russian translation, the book was called "The Russians are coming" (Bjorkegren H. The Russians are coming (occupation of Gotland). - St. Petersburg, 1999).

The events of the film "The Sacrifice" by Andrei Tarkovsky take place on the island of Gotland.

In 2009, the historical novel by the Swedish writer Elisabeth Nemert "The Sea of ​​Destiny" was published ( Ödets hav), the action of which takes place in the XIV century. in Gotland and Novgorod.

Gotland is the setting for a series of detective novels by contemporary Swedish writer Marie Jungstedt, whose protagonist is police commissioner Anders Knutas.

An album by the Swedish jazz trombonist Nils Landgren, together with the Polish jazz trumpeter Tomas Stanko, called "Gotland" was released in 1996.

see also

  • Roma Royal Court - an estate in the town of Roma on the island of Gotland.

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Notes

Literature

  • Gotland, an island in the Baltic Sea // Encyclopedic Dictionary of Brockhaus and Efron: in 86 volumes (82 volumes and 4 additional). - St. Petersburg. , 1890-1907.

Links

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An excerpt characterizing Gotland

- Are you sure that it will be who to indicate, Sever? Perhaps those who remain will no longer care ...
– Oh, no, Isidora! Man is extraordinarily strong in his survival. You can't even imagine how strong he is! And a real Man never gives up... Even if he is left alone. It has always been so. And so it will always be. The power of Love and the power of Struggle are very strong on Earth, even if people do not understand this yet. And there will always be someone who will lead the rest. The main thing is that this Leader does not turn out to be “black”... From the very birth, a person is looking for a goal. And it depends only on him whether he finds it himself or turns out to be the one to whom this goal will be given. People must learn to think, Isidora. In the meantime, unfortunately, many are satisfied with what others think for them. And as long as this continues, the Earth will still lose its best sons and daughters, who will pay for the ignorance of all the “led ones”. That's why I won't help you, Isidora. And none of us will. It is not yet time for everything to be at stake. If we die now, fighting for a handful of Enlightened Ones, even if the time has come for them to KNOW, then after that, there will be no one else to “know” ... I see, I haven’t convinced you, – Sever’s lips were touched by a slight smile. - Yes, you would not be yourself if you convinced ... But I ask you only one thing - go away, Isidora! This is not your time, and this is not your world!
I felt wildly sad... I realized that I had lost here too. Now everything depended only on my conscience - whether I would agree to leave, or whether I would fight, knowing that there was no hope of victory ...
– Well, Sever, I will stay... I may not be as wise as you and your Great Ancestors... but I think if they really were such “Great” ones, you would help us, and they would forgive you. Well, if not, then perhaps they are not so “great” after all!..
Bitterness spoke through my lips, not allowing me to think soberly ... I could not admit the thought that there was no one to wait for help ... Well, right here there were people who were able to help, just by stretching out their hand. But they didn't want to. They "defended" themselves with lofty goals, refusing to interfere... They were WISE... Well, I just listened to my heart. I wanted to save my loved ones, I wanted to help the rest not to lose people dear to them. I wanted to destroy Evil... Perhaps, in the "wise" sense, I was just a "child". Maybe not grown up. But even if I had lived a thousand years, I would never have been able to calmly watch how an innocent, beautiful person perishes from someone's bestial hand! ..
– Do you want to see the real Meteora, Isidora? Most likely, you will never have such an opportunity again, - Sever said sadly.
– May I ask what the word meteora means?
– Oh, it was a long time ago when they called him... Now it doesn't matter anymore. But at one time it sounded a little different. It meant - WE-TE-U-RA, which meant - close to the light and knowledge, keeping them and living by them. But then too many "ignorant" began to look for us. And the name has changed. Many did not hear its sound, and many did not care at all. They didn't realize that even as they set foot here, they were already in contact with FAITH. That she met them already at the very threshold, starting with the name and understanding of it ... I know that this is not your speech, and it is probably difficult for you to understand it, Isidora. Although your name is also one of those... It is significant.
“You forgot that language is not important to me, Sever. I feel and see it - I smiled.
– Forgive me, in charge... I forgot who you are. Do you want to see what is given only to those who know, Isidora? You won't get another chance, you won't come back here again.
I just nodded, trying to hold back the angry, bitter tears that were ready to pour down my cheeks. The hope to be with them, to receive their strong, friendly support, was dying, even without having time to wake up properly. I remained alone. Never having learned something very important for me... And almost defenseless, against a strong and terrible man, with a formidable name - Karaffa...
But the decision was made, and I was not going to retreat. Otherwise, what was our Life worth if we had to live betraying ourselves? Suddenly, I completely calmed down - everything finally fell into place, there was nothing more to hope for. I could only rely on myself. And that was exactly where it should have come from. And what will be the end - I forced myself not to think about it anymore.
We moved along a high stone corridor, which, ever expanding, went deeper. It was just as light and pleasant in the cave, and only the smell of spring grasses became much stronger as we went further. Suddenly, a luminous golden “wall” shone right in front of us, on which a single large rune sparkled ... I immediately realized that this was protection from the “uninitiated”. It looked like a dense, shimmering curtain, made of some kind of glittering golden matter that I had never seen before, through which, most likely, I would not have been able to pass without outside help. Stretching out his hand, Sever lightly touched it with his palm, and the golden “wall” immediately disappeared, opening a passage to an amazing room .... I immediately had a vivid feeling of something “alien”, as if something told me that it was it was not quite the world familiar to me in which I had always lived ... But after a moment, the strange "foreignness" disappeared somewhere, and again everything became familiar and good. The probing sensation of someone invisible watching us intensified. But it, again, was not hostile, but rather similar to the warm touch of a good old friend, once lost for a long time and now suddenly found again ... In the far corner of the room, a small natural fountain sparkled with iridescent splashes. The water in it was so transparent that it was visible only by the iridescent reflections of light shining on the trembling mirror drops. Looking at this miracle spring, unexpectedly for myself, I suddenly felt a burning thirst. And without having time to ask Severa if I could have a drink, I immediately received an answer:
– Of course, Isidora, try it! This is the water of Life, we all drink it when there is not enough strength, when the burden becomes unbearable. Try!
I bent down to scoop up the miraculous water with my palms, and felt an incredible relief, even before I had time to touch it!.. It seemed that all my troubles, all the bitterness suddenly receded somewhere, I felt unusually calm and happy... It was incredible - I didn't even have time to try! .. Confused, she turned to the North - he smiled. Apparently, everyone who touched this miracle for the first time experienced the same sensations. I scooped up water with my palms - it sparkled with small diamonds, like morning dew on sunlit grass ... Carefully, trying not to spill precious drops, I took a tiny sip - a unique lightness spread throughout my body! .. As if someone waved a magic wand, took pity on me and threw off fifteen whole years of my life! I felt light, like a bird soaring high in the sky... My head became clean and clear, as if I had just been born into the world.
- What is this?!. I whispered in surprise.
“I told you,” Sever smiled. - Living Water... It helps to absorb knowledge, relieves fatigue, returns light. Everyone who is here drinks it. She has always been here, as far as I can remember.