Yburg Castle, built around 1200, takes its name from the outcrop that it occupies: its historical name Iberg probably derives from Eibenberg (yew-tree mountain). Of volcanic origin, the bluff towers over the Rhine valley.
The castle, its keep a highly visible landmark, marked the southwestern corner of the territory of the margraves of Baden. In the Peasants’ War of 1525, rebels invaded the castle, causing considerable damage. Because of its strategic significance, Margrave Georg Friedrich ordered that the castle be rebuilt and fortified, with work taking place between 1617 and 1620. In 1689, however, French soldiers laid waste to the structure. Like many other Medieval ruins, Yburg Castle began to attract increasing numbers of sightseers in the 19 th century. The ramparts were reinforced and partially reconstructed. Today, the ruin – and its Burggaststätte (castle inn) – is a popular destination for day-trippers, and a well-known symbol of the Rebland wine region of Baden-Baden. The restored keep offers fantastic views of the Rhine Valley and the Black Forest.
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.