Balduinseck Castle is located in the valley on the L 203 between the towns of Buch and Mastershausen and is freely accessible. The hilltop castle was built in the 14th century by Elector Baldwin of Luxembourg as a stronghold against the Counts of Sponheim, who resided at Kastellaun Castle. When it was built, Baldwin seems to have been particularly inspired by the French donjon type.
The castle was never destroyed but fell into ruin from the 18th century. Comprehensive renovation was completed in 2014, making the site freely accessible again. The 18-meter-high, four-story walls of the residential tower are still well preserved today. Today, Balduinseck Castle is a special highlight for many hikers.
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.