Details
Founded: 1396-1406Category: Castles and fortifications in Germany
Historical period: Habsburg Dynasty (Germany)
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Satzvey Castle was built between 1396 and 1406 on an island in the middle of a large pond crossed by the Veybach. At that time a main and a fore-castle were situated on separate islands. Behind the wide expanse of water, today one can see the richly structured manor house, with its tower and the gate-house from the 15th century. The son of Max Felix Reichsgraf Wolff Metternich, who had lived as lord of Satzvey since 1878, expanded the castle to its present appearance full of a sense of style. Behind the wide expanse of water, today one can see the richly structured manor house, with its tower and the gate-house from the 15th century.
Satzvey Castle represents an especially beautiful example of a romantic castle. On the present estate of Satzvey Castle a variety of events are held, for example the jousting tournaments with medieval markets, witches' festivals, children's theatre programs and the historical castle Christmas, including traditional Christmas market. Moreover, in private rooms banquets are arranged for parties of between 40 and 500 guests.
Visby Cathedral (also known as St. Mary’s Church) is the only survived medieval church in Visby. It was originally built for German merchants and inaugurated in 1225. Around the year 1350 the church was enlarged and converted into a basilica. The two-storey magazine was also added then above the nave as a warehouse for merchants.
Following the Reformation, the church was transformed into a parish church for the town of Visby. All other churches were abandoned. Shortly after the Reformation, in 1572, Gotland was made into its own Diocese, and the church designated its cathedral.
There is not much left of the original interior. The font is made of local red marble in the 13th century. The pulpit was made in Lübeck in 1684. There are 400 graves under the church floor.