Henkenshage may look like a medieval castle but it is not. Although it was built during the 14th century under the name Hanekenshage it was just a simple building. During the 15th century it was also known under the name Strijpe or Streepen.
In 1748 Henkenshage Castle was sold to Willem, Baron of Haren. In 1801 it was fitted as a convent for Augustinian nuns.
Around 1850 the castle was bought by Pieter J. de Girard de Mielet van Coehoorn. At that time the castle was still a simple manor with no storeys. He had the castle rebuilt by the famous Dutch architect PJH. Cuypers, who also rebuilt De Haar Castle and built the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam. Cuypers built the two towers, added a storey, replaced the main entrance to the house from the south to the north side and built the gate building.
In 1940 Henkenshage came into possession of the local government. During WW II it was used as a distribution office and during the liberation in 1944 it was the headquarters of the 101st Airborne Division.
At present the castle is used by a catering company and can not be visited. So, although Henkenshage Castle is not a real medieval castle I think it has a lot of atmosphere.
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.