The original Schaloen castle was built in 1200 as a defensive fortress commissioned by the family Van Hulsberg. The remains can still be seen in the vaults of the present castle. Schaloen was an almost square building with on each corner two massive buttresses and guerite tower in the hood. The outbuildings were in the original castle on the right side of the main building.
Nevertheless the castle almost completely burnt down by war in 1575. In the year 1656 the reconstruction of the castle was completed, which can still be seen on the date which is formed by the wall anchors into the left when completed construction. In 1718 the magnificent gatehouse and current access bridge were erected, and in 1721 came to a gardener's and a carpenter's house ready and also a covered parking for coaches.
At the end of the 19th century, Count d' Villers - Masbourg Eclaye, through his marriage became a member of the family Van Hulsberg, commissioned architect PHJ Cuypers to give the castle a new view. In 1894, the renovation was completed. Until 1934, the Van Hulsberg inhabited the castle. In the Second World War Schaloen also proved attractive for the Germans. Result was that the castle was completely looted and was left uninhabitable. In 1968 the castle was sold out of lack of money.
After years of further abuse and looting the current owners, family Bot, bought in 1985 the castle and related buildings and restored them as a hotel.
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.