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Founded: 1801Category: Castles and fortifications in Sweden
Historical period: The Age of Enlightenment (Sweden)
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The history of Vallen estate dates from the 14th century. In the 15th century it was owned by brothers Åke and Povel Laxmand. The original castle was destroyed and rebuilt several times in the wars between Denmark and Sweden. In 1800 the castle was destroyed by fire. The current main building was built next year by Otto Wilhelm Burenskiöld. Today Vallen is a horse riding and conference center.
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.