Galgberget, Nature reserve in Visby, Sweden
Galgenberg is a nature reserve just north of Visby's old town, covering dozens of hectares of woodland and limestone terrain where walking trails wind through the landscape. The site features a circular stone wall with three pillars from the medieval period, which formed part of the former execution structure.
This site became an execution place in the 13th century when the stone structures with three pillars were built to hang criminals. Archaeological digs in 2008 confirmed centuries of use at the location and uncovered remains of dozens of individuals.
The name comes from the gallows that stood here during medieval times, and this dark chapter remains part of how locals and visitors understand the place today. People use the trails both for outdoor walks and to reflect on this historical reality.
The trails here are easy to walk, with various routes starting from the old town or passing by the city wall on their way through. The best time to visit is from late spring through early autumn, when the forest is green and the limestone plants flower.
This is one of the few places in Europe where medieval execution structures survive within an active natural landscape that continues to thrive. The combination of grim history and living forest creates a place where past and present coexist in an unusual way.
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