Gotland - Here we come!

11.07.2024

Today we have a long way to go, so we are already out of the harbor at 4:30 in the morning. It will be a long day at sea, a full ten hours along the way and not a breath of wind the entire trip but some sea fog!

When we arrive in Visby we are immediately positively surprised. Visby harbor is very nice and we get a central place in the middle of the city. Definitely a slightly different clientele than other places we have been, as here there is one large yacht after another - not us who are the biggest in the harbor this time!

Visby is located on the northwest side of Gotland and is the island's "capital" with approximately 22,000 inhabitants. Visby is one of Sweden's most popular tourist destinations and has a rich history. The city's heyday lasted only 200 years, from 1150 to 1350. Visby's heyday is connected to the heyday of the Hanseatic League, but after a conflict with the other Hanseatic League cities, Visby lost its importance. In 1361, the Danish king Valdemar Atterdag attacked Gotland. He promised to protect Visby in exchange for a fire tax of three barrels of gold and silver, but his ship was sunk and the tax disappeared. In the 15th century, Visby became a base for piracy. In a conflict with Lübeck, the Germans burned down large parts of the city center. Afterwards, the Danes took over power on the island until 1645, when Gotland became Swedish again by the Peace of Brömsebro. In the 18th and 19th centuries, people made their living from agriculture, fishing, lime burning and seafaring.

The city is very cozy with small narrow streets and old houses. There are also plenty of bars and restaurants to visit. We visit the Sail Racing shop, have a cocktail and of course visit "Europe's largest ice cream parlor!"

We are enjoying life in Visby. The weather is absolutely beautiful and warm, and we really get the summer feeling when we see all the people sitting outside until late at night.