Painting by Erik Olsson
Painting by Erik Olsson
Visby is the oldest city in the Baltic area. According to Strelow who writes
in his Cronica Guthilandorum, 1633, Visby was founded in the year 897.
Also archæological finds show an increased activity at that time.
Accordingly Visby can with pride celebrate its 1100th birthday of its
existance.
At the time of the Civil war in 1288 Visby was the largest and richest
city in the Baltic area. It was a metropolis in this part of the world and
mother city to e.g. Riga and later on Stockholm.
Visby had during some hundred years slowly grown and become the most important
harbor on the Gotlandic coast.
The large increase in population took place with the massive immigration
of among others German traders beginning of the 13th century.
When the Hanseatic League was formed in 1358 Visbys position as a great
power was already past.
Accordingly Visbys position as a great power took place before the forming
of the Hanseatic League.
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