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Fortress · Visby, Gotland
Visby ringmur
The medieval wall of Visby, 3.4 km long, built from the late 13th century, almost intact, with dozens of towers and gates encircling the Old Town. A UNESCO World Heritage site.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Visby ringmur
The Ringmuren, the wall that surrounds Visby, was built from the late 13th century during a period of wealth and conflict between the town's merchants and the island's farmers. It is about 3.4 km long and is almost complete: nearly the whole circuit stands, with dozens of large towers, smaller towers supported on the top of the wall, and gates that still serve as the Old Town entrances.
The wall is made of grey limestone and reaches up to 11 metres high. On the seaside it is lower; on the landward side the towers are taller and closer together for defense. The main gates are Österport to the east, Norderport to the north, and Söderport to the south. Outside, a wide grassy strip where the moat once lay follows much of the circuit.
You cannot walk along the wall for most of its length, but you can walk around it on foot, inside or outside, in about an hour and a half. From the top of the northern hill near the ruins and from the Klinten viewpoint on the slope you can see the wall dropping down to the sea, with the town's red roofs. In summer some towers open for visits and exhibitions.
The sunset over the sea, seen from outside the wall to the west, is one of the town's evening highlights in summer.
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 1.5 to 2 hours to walk around.
Best time
From May to September, with long days. In the late afternoon the west side by the sea gets the sunset; in summer that is usually after 21:00. During Medieval Week in August there are camps and tournaments by the wall.
How to get there
The wall surrounds Visby's Old Town. From the ferry port the nearest entrance is a 10-minute walk; from the airport it's about 4 km by bus or taxi.
Tip
Do the circuit on the outside along the grass from Norderport to Söderport, then return through the Old Town. Climb the Klinten viewpoint to see the wall and the rooftops from above.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Visby ringmur
Can you walk on Visby's wall?
For the most part, no. The wall is walked alongside on foot, either on the inside or the outside. Some towers open in summer.
How long does it take to walk around the wall?
About 1.5 to 2 hours on foot, with stops.
Why is the wall so intact?
Visby declined in importance after the Middle Ages and did not grow beyond the walls for centuries, which spared the wall from demolition.