VISBY, the capital of the Swedish island and administrative district (Ian) of Gottland, in the Baltic sea. Pop. (1934) 10,835. The name Visby is derived from the old Norse ye (sanctuary) and by (town). This was no doubt a place of religious sacrifice in heathen times. At any rate it was a notable trading-place and emporium as early as the end of the Stone Age, and long con tinued to enjoy its importance as such, as is proved by the large number of Arabic, Anglo-Saxon and other coins found.
Visby is the seat of a bishop, the port of the island, and a favourite watering-place. It is picturesquely situated on the west coast, 150 m. S. by E. of Stockholm by sea. The houses cluster beneath and above a cliff (klint) ft. high, and the town is thoroughly mediaeval in appearance. The remains from its period of extraordinary prosperity from the I I th to the 14th century are of the highest interest. Its walls date from the end of the 13th century, replacing earlier fortifications, and enclose a space much larger than that now covered by the town. Massive towers rise at close intervals along them, and nearly forty are in good preser vation. Between them are traces of bartizans. The cathedral church of St. Mary dates from 1190-1225, but has been much
altered in later times ; it has a great square tower at the west end and two graceful octagonal towers at the east, and contains numerous memorials of the I7th century. There are ten other churches, in part ruined. Among those of chief interest St. Nicholas', of the early part of the 13th century, formerly be longed to a Dominican monastery. It retains two beautiful rose windows in the west front. The church of the Holy Ghost (Helgeands-Kyrka) in a late Romanesque style (c. 1250) is a remarkable structure with a nave of two storeys. The Romanesque St. Clement's has an ornate south portal, and the churches of St. Drotten and St. Lars, of the 12th century, are notable for their huge towers. St. Catherine's, of the middle of the 13th cen tury, is Gothic, with a pentagonal apse. Galgberget, the place of execution, has tall stone pillars still standing ; and there is a stone labyrinth at Trojeborg. Modern buildings include the Gottland museum of antiquities. The artificial harbour, somewhat exposed, lies south of the ancient Hanseatic harbour, now filled up. See GOTTLAND and SEA LAWS.