Botanical Garden, Visby (must see)

The Visby Botanical Garden was first laid out in 1855 by the altruistic gentleman's society, Sällskapet DBW, following the vision of master Hans Petter Gustavsson. Since then, the garden has undergone multiple stages of development, with a major renovation taking place in the 1930s that has shaped its current, captivating design.

Today, the park stands as a popular destination in Visby, attracting a multitude of visitors with its appealing mix of natural beauty, historical architecture, and botanical diversity. The southern part of the park is home to the ruins of St. Olof's church, adding a touch of historic mystique to the otherwise verdant landscape. A noteworthy agreement made in the 1970s between DBW and the municipality of Gotland allows the garden to be freely open to the public, with the region assuming responsibility for operating costs. DBW's garden board, meanwhile, retains the crucial role of curating the botanical collection, ensuring a continued focus on diversity and conservation.

The Botanical Garden has gained a distinguished reputation for conserving rare plant species. Its expansive layout encompasses a variety of water bodies, making it not just a hub of botanical exploration, but a site of exceptional beauty. One can marvel at the majestic Empress Tree and the vibrant rhododendron plants that are among the garden's most captivating attractions.

However, the garden's appeal extends beyond its local flora. It boasts an eclectic array of plants from around the globe, embodying a spirit of botanical diversity and international unity. The intricate interplay between the local and the global, the ancient and the new, renders the Visby Botanical Garden an enchanting location.