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Founded: 1577Category: Palaces, manors and town halls in Denmark
Historical period: Early Modern Denmark (Denmark)
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The origin of the name Torbemfeldt is unclear but it may refer to Torben Nielsen (died 1310) who was married to a sister of Marsk Stig's first wife. Torbensfeldt is first mentioned in 1377. Early owners include members of the noble Moltke, Gøye and Brahe families. In 1668 the estate was acquired by King Frederick III who renamed it Frydendal. The king died in 1670 and his son Prince George ceded the estate to Christoffer Parsberg in exchange for Jungshoved at Vordingborg in 1671. An important figure in the central administration, Parsberg was created count that same year. However, he died just a few months later and the property was then owned by different noble families before being acquired by Christian Rosenkilde Treschow in 1873. Torbenfeldt has been owned by members of the Treschow family since then. The name of the estate was changed back to Torbenfeldt in 1906.
The three-winged main building is located on an artificial island in a small lake and reflects the long history of the property. Part of the south wing dates from the 15th century but was altered and expanded with a tower in the 1650s. The eastern gate wing is from 1577 but was adapted in 1755. The north wing is from 1767 except for the corner tower which is from 1906 when the entire complex was restored by C. M. Smidt. Frydendal Church is located closeby.
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.