The Ekeblad family owned Stola estate from the 1530's untill 1879. Several members of the family was noted commanders, royal councillors and country govenors. The building was unoccupied for a greater part of ofthe 19th century, but it has been renovated since and returned to it's 18th century splendours. Since the end of 1980's Stola has been owned by a foundation, and part of the groundfloor is used as private accomodation, but the manor house is mainly open for visitors.
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.