Markow is located about 10 km northeast of Stavenhagen and has been part of the municipality of Ivenack since 1962. The -ow suffix and the original spelling indicate a Slavic origin. Unlike nearby estate farms, Markow was not a subsidiary property of the noble estate of Ivenack. As early as the 18th century, it was under the ownership of the regional sovereign, functioning as a ducal domain. With a size of roughly 400 hectares, it was relatively modest. The last leaseholder was Ernst Albrecht.
The classical layout of the estate village – with a symmetrical manor complex and a row of cottages along the main street – is still discernible. The manor house and one barn remain preserved in the center of the site.
Buildings and Condition
The compact manor house is a half-timbered structure made of oak, originally seven bays wide, with a striking half-hipped roof covered in traditional beaver-tail tiles. On the courtyard side, the roof features one dormer, while the garden side has three. The timber framing of the left gable has been fully reconstructed, and all windows and exterior doors have been replaced in accordance with heritage protection standards.
Part of the ground floor has been made temporarily habitable. The upper floor remains undeveloped. Due to the current state of the building, the interior is largely used as a workshop.
All utility connections are in place. Wastewater is handled via a sealed tank, and a permit has already been granted for installing a small treatment plant.
Garden and Outbuildings
Behind the house lies a charming small ornamental garden designed in Baroque style, along with a kitchen garden featuring a variety of fruit trees.
The timber-framed barn on the left side of the property is in very poor condition. While preservation may still be possible, demolition approval has already been granted by both the municipality and the heritage authority.
Additional Buildings and Rental Income
When acquiring the manor house, the current owners also purchased a small apartment block across the street. Originally a post-war building, they turned necessity into opportunity by renovating and modernizing the structure, aligning it visually with the estate. It now houses three well-appointed vacation rentals and two permanent apartments. The units offer pleasant views of the village pond and the distant Mecklenburg countryside. The basement includes a sauna and relaxation room. Heating is provided by a 45 kW gas system.
Additionally, a rustic little cottage in the garden is also rented out.
Summary
This is a rare chance to restore a historic Mecklenburg manor house - with freedom to design it your way, yet without starting from scratch. At the same time, the already developed rental units offer immediate income opportunities and broaden the scope for future use.
