The Rittersdorf Castle has remained almost unchanged since its construction and gives an impressive picture of late medieval and modern renaissance of interior design. The nearly 700 year-old water castle is located three kilometers north of Bitburg in Rittersdorf. It houses a small museum of local history and in the Gothic Knights' Hall, the registrar's office (branch) of the District Administration of the Bitburg region. In addition, it houses a privately owned restaurant with fine country cuisine. From an art history standpoint, the castle is particularly famous for its elaborately designed archway. At regular intervals, medieval banquets are held in the castle hall according to medieval tradition. After being welcomed by the Lord of the Castle and his servants, squires and maids in medieval costumes serve the food and drink. Minstrels, jesters and the authentically decked Knights Table contribute to the medieval atmosphere. Of course, you can enjoy a fine country cuisine and excellent wine in the stylishly-appointed rooms of the restaurant.
References: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.