Gotland Museum
Gotlands län
Gotland Museum, located in Visby, Sweden, is the county museum dedicated to preserving and presenting the cultural heritage, archaeology, and art of Gotland Island. Founded in 1875 by the Friends of Gotland's Antiquity society under Pehr Arvid Säve's initiative, the museum has grown to encompass several historic buildings and farms across Gotland. Its extensive collections include around 400,000 objects ranging from prehistoric stone axes to medieval seals, Viking silver hoards, and contemporary art. The museum is renowned for permanent exhibitions such as the Picture Stone Hall, the Spillings Hoard-the world's largest Viking silver treasure-and the "1361 - Battle for Gotland" exhibition portraying the Danish invasion led by Valdemar Atterdag. The museum also manages a publishing house and offers public access to its Magasin Visborg storage facility since 2014. Besides cultural history and archaeology, the museum holds natural history collections featuring fossils and mounted animals. As a hub for heritage preservation, it also oversees the care of Visby's church ruins and organizes educational programs and events year-round, making it a vital cultural institution on the island.
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Astuce: Visitors are advised to check the museum's official website for up-to-date opening hours and special event schedules. The museum offers free entry for members and children under 19, with membership providing additional benefits like shop discounts. The Magasin Visborg storage is open to the public since 2014 and worth a visit for those interested in behind-the-scenes collections. Spring and summer months typically offer extended opening hours and outdoor activities. Booking guided tours or attending lectures can enrich the experience. Advance ticket purchase is generally not required, but becoming a member supports the museum and grants free access.
Faits intéressants
- •Gotland Museum holds the world's largest Viking silver treasure, the Spillings Hoard.
- •The museum's collections comprise about 400,000 objects spanning 7,000 years of Gotland's history.
- •The museum owns several historic farms and buildings across Gotland, some functioning as satellite museums.
- •Magasin Visborg, the museum's large storage facility, opened to the public in 2014, allowing visitors to see behind-the-scenes collections.
- •The museum was founded by the Friends of Gotland's Antiquity society, which still owns and supports it.
- •Gotland Museum manages the care and oversight of the medieval church ruins in Visby.
Histoire
Gotland Museum was established in 1875 by the Friends of Gotland's Antiquity society, founded in 1874 with the goal of preserving Gotland's cultural artifacts and traditions.
Initially housed in rented premises and later in the old brännvin distillery, the museum expanded steadily over the decades, acquiring multiple historic buildings and farms on the island.
The collections grew from everyday objects to include significant archaeological finds, artworks, and natural history specimens.
In 2014, the museum inaugurated Magasin Visborg, a large storage facility open to the public.
The museum remains an active cultural institution, promoting heritage preservation and education on Gotland.
Guide du lieu
Picture Stone Hall (Bildstenshallen)19th century (museum acquisition)
The Picture Stone Hall is a prominent permanent exhibition featuring Gotland's unique Viking Age picture stones with intricate carvings, providing insights into Norse mythology and local history.
Spillings Hoard ExhibitionDiscovered 1999
This exhibition displays the Spillings Hoard, the world's largest Viking silver treasure discovered on Gotland, illustrating Viking trade, wealth, and craftsmanship.
1361 - Battle for GotlandMedieval period (historical event)
An immersive exhibition depicting the Danish invasion of Gotland in 1361, featuring detailed accounts of the Battle of Mästerby and the Battle of Visby, key events in the island's medieval history.
Magasin Visborg2014
Magasin Visborg is the museum's main storage facility housing the vast collections of artifacts not on permanent display, accessible to the public since 2014 for a unique behind-the-scenes experience.
Contact
Téléphone: 0498-29 27 60
