Schloss Wissen, the ancestral home of the family von Loë is one of the most well-known noble seats on the Lower Rhine. The extensive castle complex looks back on a century old history which began in the 12th-13th century with the erection of a defence tower (presently the south wing of the main building). During the course of the centuries, a three-winged outer bailey was added to the main building and continuously adapted to the tastes of the respective times.
Schloss Wissen owes its current form to a comprehensive restoration executed from 1969 to 1973. Some of the generously and elaborately restored venues such as the White Salon and the Large Dining Room can, today, be utilised for conferences, as well as for weddings, company celebrations, family ceremonies or team events. The Historic Watermill is located in front of the gates of the castle. The Watermill disposes of two seminar rooms which can, if necessary, be combined to form one large conference venue / ballroom for up to 80 persons. The view of the surrounding green landscape and of the outer bailey imparts the Historic Watermill with additional charm.
Some of the buildings of the servants’ quarters, which also form part of the castle complex, were transformed into guesthouses with lovingly decorated rooms and apartments.
References:Manarola is a small town, a frazione of the comune of Riomaggiore. It is the second-smallest of the famous Cinque Terre towns frequented by tourists, with a population of 353.
Manarola may be the oldest of the towns in the Cinque Terre, with the cornerstone of the church, San Lorenzo, dating from 1338. The local dialect is Manarolese, which is marginally different from the dialects in the nearby area. The name 'Manarola' is probably a dialectical evolution of the Latin, 'magna rota'. In the Manarolese dialect this was changed to 'magna roea' which means 'large wheel', in reference to the mill wheel in the town.
Manarola's primary industries have traditionally been fishing and wine-making. The local wine, called Sciacchetrà, is especially renowned; references from Roman writings mention the high quality of the wine produced in the region.