In 1274, a moated defense tower was built on the site of today's Oberau castle. The specialty of this residential tower is the internal stairs and the external living rooms. In 1550, Ernst von Miltitz had an impressive, elongated new building built in the Renaissance style with accentuated gable tops next to the residential tower. In 1594 the building was thoroughly redesigned to create a renaissance castle.
In the 17th century painted wooden ceilings were installed in the castle, but their boards were used in a different way from 1807. The painting was retained. In 1803 the construction of Oberau Castle was restored. Valuable stucco work was created during this construction work. In the period from 1807 to 1878, the manor received its form that is characteristic of today. At the beginning of this period in particular, the castle got its striking appearance. Traditions from the end of 1853 tell of a single bridge - probably a drawbridge - that led across the moat to the castle. In 1860 the northeast wing was built, the style of which was adapted to the existing parts of the building. This gave the castle an angular floor plan and aneo-Gothic stair tower.
After the end of the Second World War, displaced persons were quartered in the castle. The entire building was occupied from the basement to the roof. After some families moved away, some rooms were rebuilt. In the period that followed, ten displaced families still found accommodation in the castle. These conversions were later also used by a children's home. As there was not enough space for the children's home, plans were made to demolish the castle. The demolition is delayed, however, as the resettlement families still lived in the castle. In 1946 the manor building was redesigned so that it could be used for other purposes. The large palace gardens were also significantly affected by the renovations.
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.