On July 27th, 1225 Visby Cathedral Sankta Maria was consecrated as parish church by Bishop Bengt of Linköping. By then it consisted of one German and one Gotlandic parish. It was built as the church of the German merchants, who due to the Hanseatic trade visited Visby and it was paid by the ships that arrived in Visby. During the Middle Ages, the church was called the Church of Our Beloved Lady and it was also often mentioned as the German Church. During early medieval times, a lot of churches were built at trading centres in the whole Baltic Sea region, in connection to the Hanseatic trade. During many centuries, trade on the Baltic Sea was controlled by the powerful Hanseatic League, which also had huge financial and political power in the region. For further information about the Hansa, click here
In the 1530s, the church turns into Visby’s parish church. Since 1361 Gotland belonged to Denmark, but all the same Gotland became its own diocese in 1572. In 1645, as a result of the peace treaty of Brömsebro, Gotland turned Swedish again. Today Visby Cathedral Sankta Maria is one of three churches in Visby Cathedral Parish and is at the same time the Cathedral of Visby Diocese.
Throughout the centuries, Visby Cathedral Sankta Maria, remains a landmark of the town and of the whole island of Gotland as well. Millions of people have visited the church, and its walls hold innumerable thoughts and prayers. Each generation has left its own expressions and so it is also today. The parish offers a broad variety of activities to create a sustainable and respectful society together with other actors. The importance and role of the church has changed through the centuries, but its mission remains the same: to make Christ known, trusted and loved.
During 2025, Visby Cathedral Sankta Maria will host a lot of exciting, joyful and interesting activities to celebrate its 800 years.