While known for both its roses and its ruins, being mid-May it was ruins not roses.  This UNESCO World Heritage City on Gotland Island is a well preserved Hanseatic city.  Visby and Tallinn are both known for maintaining their original medieval city grid planning.  Here in Visby there are over 200 medieval buildings lining its streets.

The cruise ship pier is about 1.25 miles from the city center.  Shuttle service was available.  We began by walking by the sea wall on one side and the old stone city wall on the other side as we passed through Almedalen Park.

Continuing on the sea wall until we came to the small but beautiful Botanical Gardens. 

Just up the hill a but from the gardens stood the ruins of St. Clements Church.  There are ruins of churches all throughout the city from when the Reformation came to be, the monasteries were banished and the churches left to ruin. 

Moving through the winding streets with all their nooks and crannies, it is hard not to take in the simply beauty of these homes and cottages.

We came to the 12th Century Cathedral dedicated to St. Mary.  This was the Church that survived and thrived.  Its perch on the city’s hill along with its steeples makes its presence known from various viewpoints throughout Visby. 

From the Cathedral, we continued to explore the streets including the Great Square.

With the sun shining and all, we took in a little gelato at Glassmagasinet. It was recommended to me by my cardiologist of all people.  So I assume it is a heart healthy food.  If I closed my eyes, I could have been back in Italy in some piazza.

A lovely morning in Swedish Fairytale of a City named Visby on Gotland Island.  Sadly, no Pippi Longstocking sightings.  After all, this is her home you know.