The 18 century to today th
Much of what characterises Gotland today, with tourism and travel in focus, has its roots in what was happening in the 18th and 19th centuries. Many of the island's resplendent buildings from that time are still around. Travel to and from the island has long been of importance. Did you know that steamboats traversed the Baltic carrying travellers longing for Gotland as early as in the 19th century? And that during the Second World War, casualties were shipped here to receive care at what was the most modern hospital at the time? The 18th century saw an upswing in trade and commerce, resulting in a rise in construction. The number of homes in Visby doubled. They were built of stone to reduce the risk of fire and to preserve the forest. Many of the old packhouses were refurbished. In around 1785, Visby had more than 5,000 residents and was the fifth largest city in Sweden. In 1808, during the Finnish War, Russia occupied the island, but the Swedes came to the rescue and took it back. During the 19th century, Gotlanders began to care for and preserve their ruins, including the wall surrounding Visby. And Visby became one of the most popular tourist destinations in the entire country. During the Crimean War in 1853, a great number of British sailors became afflicted with cholera and were buried at the English cholera cemetery on Fårö. At the end of the 19th century, Visby became a shipping port for increased industrialisation. All rail lines that were built had Roma as their starting point. Until the end of the 19th century, fishing was a common way to supplement income obtained through agriculture, which is seen in the fact that many small fishing villages were built. With the increase of commercial fishing in the 20th century, a great number of buildings in the villages were abandoned.
1785: Visby is Sweden's fifth largest city with over 5,000 inhabitants.
1853: British sailors are afflicted with cholera and buried on Fårö.
1808: Russia occupies Gotland, which is soon returned to Sweden.
1866: Steamship company Gotland is established. 1878: First railroad for general traffic.
At the end of the 19th century, Visby is a shipping harbour and the railroad is expanded. Fishing is a common pasttime and Gotland is a budding tourist destination. 1780
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