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We were very excited when during the planning of our trip we thought we would be in Visby on the very first day of "Medieval Week on Gotland" or "Medeltidsveckan pa Gotland." We had checked the dates out. Can you believe we missed it by one day? We were so disappointed!

Every year during the first week in August the island celebrates Medieval Week. It is a great festival recreating the year of 1361. As the history goes, Visby was still a powerful Hanseatic city, and Gotland was under the rule of Sweden and its King, Magnus Eriksson. At the time, the people within the city walls of Visby felt no kinship but only antagonism with the wealthy farmers outside the walls. Danish King Valdemar Atterdag invaded the island and engaged the farmers outside of the city walls in a great battle where 2,000 souls perished. The people inside the city walls watched the battle passively, as they had promised King Valdemar not to intervene in exchange for the right to retain privileges of their own.

During the festival, everyone dresses in the Medieval garb and regalia as the people did in 1361. One of the highlights is the Jousting Tournament, but there are theatrical performances, dancing and music, crafts, food, special guided walks and lectures. Jesters, musicians, acrobats and wandering ministrels delight the crowds. The festival represents a marvelous way in which the Medieval days are brought to life! This festival only lasts a week, so make sure you get as much information as possible if you plan to be in Visby for this wonderful event. (See contact info. below.)

Directions: Some events are held inside city walls while others may be outside in the countryside, in churches, museums, etc. It is best to e-mail for the EXACT location of the jousting tournaments, etc., and for EXACT dates!
othercontact: info@medeltidsveckan.com
Phone: %cr46-498-29-10-70
Website: http://%crwww.medeltidsveckan.com