The Renaissance of Old Castles in the Countryside

How a manor house threatened with decay was revived in the german village Posterstein. An association in Thuringia shows that the renovation and revitalization of historic real estate does not always have to be a "bottomless pit" and gives an exemplary answer to longtime vacancy in rural areas.

Opaque ownership, penniless owners, speculative intentions and unrealistic price expectations prevent necessary activities and make renovation and reuse more and more difficult: Hundreds of monuments in Thuringia are still threatened with decay. Reinhardsbrunn Castle, Hummelshain Hunting Lodge or Poschwitz Castle near Altenburg are among the more prominent problem properties in Thuringia.

It is surely not possible to preserve every historic building in Thuringia and other regions - many objects have already been removed from the list of monuments. The Rathsfeld hunting lodge in the Kyffhäuserkreis is one of those castles that have the unofficial status of a "lost monument". Vacancy too long, huge damage.

But "old castles in lonley areas", which have so far been referred to as pejorative, are now becoming increasingly interesting and are reaching a growing fan base. Until now, it was a rather limited group of individualists or companies who are interested in such properties, but now there are prospective customers from everyday life: They are fleeing from crowded cities and are looking for the dream of individual living.

Historic postcard of the posterstein site: Manor, Church, Castle, Farm Buildings
©Museum Posterstein Castle

 

"Being not lonely - A new life in the countryside"

You can experience this dream from now on in the manor house Posterstein and you don't have to feel left behind or lonely.

The small community in the Altenburger Land is dominated by the medieval castle of the same name, which was part of the former knight's estate Posterstein. While the castle is open to tourists, the manor house opposite the castle - in its current appearance characterized by different styles of historicism - has been empty since the early 1990s and was one of these vacant properties in Thuringia. In October 2015, the Association Burgberg e.V. managed to acquire the manor house from the previous private owner.

With much personal commitment and with the support of politics and business, a reference project for exemplary rural development in times of demographic change has emerged in four years: "Beeing together and not lonely - living, working and relaxing on the Burgberg". So far, several rental apartments, two holiday apartments, leisure and common rooms, a well-visited and fitness studio open to the public have been created. A mobile pedicure will soon be available for the elderly and everyone can use an age-appropriate bathroom if required. A farm shop with regional products is also planned.

The great interest in the development of the property on the Burgberg shows that this works. The support and demand for apartments in the mansion was overwhelming. All eight apartments were quickly rented out and the expanded tourist offer is also being accepted by an increasing number of visitors.

A reference project that can made school. If politics and business quickly create the necessary framework conditions, this can also succeed elsewhere. The number of potential development candidates is still large. Not only in Thuringia.

Image gallery: The vacant mansion in 2012 and after the renovation in 2019