When you imagine a farmhouse, you probably picture a big house surrounded by wide open fields, maybe with a willow tree in the front yard where someone's hung a swing.
What you might not picture? A massive stone wall snuggled right up next to it! But that's exactly what you would see if you were to travel to the city of Visby on the Swedish island of Gotland.
This popular tourist spot has a long history, famous for having the largest and best-preserved medieval defensive wall in Scandinavia.
The massive stone wall was built in the 1270s, and would have served to protect the townspeople from anyone who might try to invade. Today, it's a World Heritage Site, and if you peek down near the bottom, you'll see a tiny little building nuzzled into one of the wall's indentations.
Built sometime in the 1600s, this adorable cottage is actually an outbuilding for a slightly larger house with its own unique history: the original owner was the town's executioner!
But don't worry, it's so cute that its dark past doesn't spoil a thing. Today, it's a charming, red-painted house that, from the outside, looks like something out of a fairy tale, but the inside is comfortable and modern.
Take a peek at this unique house. It also happens to be for sale!
[H/T: House Beautiful]
This tiny cottage might be the last thing you'd expect to see when taking in the Swedish town of Visby's massive, historic wall, which has guarded the town and attracted history lovers since the 13th century.
The wall once served as the town's defense, and you can see its martial origins in the battlements and arrowslits near the top.
This is where defenders would have stood with bows to defend Visby.
The wall runs all around the city, and is the largest and best-preserved wall in Scandinavia.
Today, it's less warlike and serves as the imposing but strangely cozy backdrop for this cottage.
This building is actually an outbuilding for a slightly larger house. Both stand on the same property.
Between the main house and the cottage, there's a small yard and a patio.
The main house is situated between the yard and a narrow street.
The houses are younger than the walls, being built in the 1600s. Originally, they were the home of Visby's executioner, which may explain their strange location.
But despite the original owner's grim occupation, they're still adorable.
While the outside is charmingly rustic, the interior has been made over for modern comfort, with wooden floors and skylights for extra natural light.
The high ceiling also makes the house feel more spacious.
There are lofts and alcoves that serve as bedrooms, too.
The lofts have steeply sloped ceilings, thanks to the shape of the roof.
The bathroom has, of course, been updated, and also includes a water heater, shower, and washing machine.
Meanwhile, the outbuilding that is nestled up against the wall serves as an extra space for guests. If not that, just as a change of scenery.
Inside, you can see that the back and side walls are the defense wall itself! It would be a great place to see by candlelight, and the fur throws on the chairs give it a little medieval flair, too.
Some light even comes in through the original wall openings, too.
Would you live in a house like this, or do you prefer something a few centuries more modern?
Let us know in the comments below, and please SHARE with anyone who loves historical homes!
