Schloss Wissen, the ancestral home of the family von Loë is one of the most well-known noble seats on the Lower Rhine. The extensive castle complex looks back on a century old history which began in the 12th-13th century with the erection of a defence tower (presently the south wing of the main building). During the course of the centuries, a three-winged outer bailey was added to the main building and continuously adapted to the tastes of the respective times.
Schloss Wissen owes its current form to a comprehensive restoration executed from 1969 to 1973. Some of the generously and elaborately restored venues such as the White Salon and the Large Dining Room can, today, be utilised for conferences, as well as for weddings, company celebrations, family ceremonies or team events. The Historic Watermill is located in front of the gates of the castle. The Watermill disposes of two seminar rooms which can, if necessary, be combined to form one large conference venue / ballroom for up to 80 persons. The view of the surrounding green landscape and of the outer bailey imparts the Historic Watermill with additional charm.
Some of the buildings of the servants’ quarters, which also form part of the castle complex, were transformed into guesthouses with lovingly decorated rooms and apartments.
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.