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Museum · Visby, Gotland
Gotlands Museum (Fornsalen)
The history museum of Gotland, in Visby: the painted stones of the Viking Age, typical of the island, Viking silver hoards, Visby’s Middle Ages and life on the island over eight thousand years.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Discover
About Gotlands Museum (Fornsalen)
The Gotlands Museum, in the section called Fornsalen (the antiquities hall), tells the island’s story from the arrival of the first hunters about eight thousand years ago. It is housed in a mansion on Strandgatan, inside the wall, and is a good introduction to Gotland.
The best-known room is that of the bildstenar, the painted stones: large limestone slabs, some over 3 metres long, carved between the 5th and 11th centuries with ships, warriors, horses and scenes from Norse mythology. They are typical of Gotland and are not found elsewhere in this form. The treasure room displays Viking Age silver: Gotland was a trading centre, and hundreds of buried hoards have been found on the island, containing Arab, Byzantine and European coins. The Spillings hoard, found on a farm in the north of the island, is the largest Viking silver hoard ever discovered, weighing about 67 kilograms.
Other rooms cover Visby’s Middle Ages, with objects from merchants and churches, and rural life on the island. There are reconstructions of graves, skeletons and a children’s area.
The museum also runs the Konstmuseum (art museum) and other historic houses in Visby; these have separate admission.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
About 1½ to 2 hours.
Best time
Any time of year; a good option on rainy or windy days. In summer it is open every day; outside the season the opening hours are reduced. Check before you go.
How to get there
It is on Strandgatan, inside the wall, a 10-minute walk from the port and 5 minutes from Stora torget.
Tip
Start at the museum before touring the island: it explains the painted stones, the churches and the treasures you will encounter later.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Gotlands Museum (Fornsalen)
What are the painted stones of Gotland?
Limestone slabs carved between the 5th and 11th centuries with ships, warriors and scenes from Norse mythology, typical of the island.
What is the Spillings treasure?
The largest Viking silver hoard ever found, with about 67 kilos of coins and objects, found on a farm in northern Gotland and exhibited in the museum.
Is the museum good for children?
Yes, there are reconstructions, skeletons and a space for children.