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Founded: 1775Category: Palaces, manors and town halls in Estonia
Historical period: Part of the Russian Empire (Estonia)
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The history of the Suure-Lähtru estate dates back to the end of the 16th century. During the centuries, it has belonged to several different aristocratic families. During much of the 20th century, the manor was used as a school house. The current building was completed in 1778, and was designed by Johann Andreas Jaenichen, while most of the stucco work was done by Johann Caspar Mohr, who was province architect of Estonia and who also designed the Stenbock house (the current seat of the Government of Estonia) in Tallinn. A fine rococo stair is still preserved in the house.
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.