St. Göran ruin is a captivating sight. It is located in the northern part of Visby's city wall and was originally built in the 13th century. The church was initially used as a place of worship for the German-speaking population of Visby, who lived and worked in the city during the Hanseatic period. It was dedicated to Saint George, a Christian martyr and patron saint of soldiers, who was widely worshiped throughout Europe during the medieval period.
Next to the church there was an almshouse built for the city's lepers. The almshouse was known as Sankt Göran's Leprosy Hospital and was funded by donations from wealthy citizens of Visby. The leprosy hospital was a vital institution in medieval Visby, as leprosy was a common and feared disease at the time. The hospital provided care and support to those suffering from the disease, and it was believed that being cared for by the church could help alleviate the symptoms of leprosy. St. Görans church was closely associated with the leprosy hospital and provided spiritual support to those living there. The church may have also served as a burial site for the lepers who died at the hospital.
The church is a fine example of Gothic architecture, featuring pointed arches, ribbed vaults, and slender columns. The interior was adorned with paintings, sculptures, and stained glass windows that depicted various religious scenes and figures.
After the Reformation, the church was no longer used for religious purposes and was instead repurposed for various other functions, including storage of gunpowder for the Swedish military. However, due to its location in the center of the city, the church was seen as a potential danger, and in 1695 it was ordered that the gunpowder be removed from the church and stored elsewhere. The church was abandoned and left to decay.
