Magazine | REALPORTICO

Finding a calling in Spain’s green north: Caroline Harris on courage, markets and pazos

Caroline Harris, founder of Galicia & Green Spain Property Services, moved from London in 2000. In this interview she reflects on restoring historic Pazos, building a life in Galicia and why international interest in the region is surging. Read on

Pöstlingberg, Linz: A historic house outside, a work of art inside

Finished work, open to the next chapter: Michaela Frank spent four decades bringing the "Römerburg" on the Pöstlingberg back from decay - legally, structurally, and aesthetically. In this interview, she describes the process as a dialogue with the building fabric: listen, observe, then act. Read on

Nearly three decades dedicated to manor houses

Manfred Achtenhagen is a hotelier, developer and specialist in manor houses who has shaped the market in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern for almost thirty years. In this interview, he reflects on his estate in Ludorf, the complexities of restoring heritage properties and why he remains confident about the future of Mecklenburg’s manor houses. Read on

From Bruges to the world and home to a waterfall in Occitania

Jan Spaens from Bruges talks about restoring a 15th-century watermill in Occitania, a discovery in the archives of Albi and why the time has come to pass on twenty years of his life's work. Read on

Ribeira Sacra’s hidden noble house: The story of Pazo de Ferreiroá

A historic 15th-century noble house in the heart of Galicia’s Ribeira Sacra. Restored with restraint and respect for its architectural roots, the estate features traditional granite structures and a private wine cellar. It remains a rare, intact example of a Galician manor house ready for its next chapter. Read on

Koszalin: A late 19th-century villa on the Baltic coast

The former Danziger Straße in Köslin was a prestigious address; its character remains visible today in Koszalin's Piłsudskiego Street. An interview about house number 51, the Baltic coast, heritage protection in Poland and the underestimated investment potential of Koszalin. Read on

Infrared heating in castles and listed properties: efficiency, integration and preservation of building fabric

Historic buildings place special demands on heating systems. An expert interview explains why infrared heating is often the better choice for old buildings and listed heritage properties and where hybrid concepts can make sense. Read on

Fire safety in historic buildings: an underestimated risk

Fire safety in historic buildings is often perceived as bureaucratic and challenging. When is a fire safety concept required and how can safety, heritage protection and economic viability be reconciled? Read on

Inspired by the renaissance, restored for the future: a castle like a single-family home

A Prague-based developer restored a neglected historic gem in South Bohemia and, thanks to heat pumps and geothermal energy, reduced its energy consumption to that of a typical single-family home. Before selling, he shares insights about the castle and its unique features. Read on

Castillos, Palacios, Casas señoriales: Legal Framework for Historic Properties in Spain

Anyone considering a historic property in Spain should know about heritage protection, BIC status and owner obligations. REALPORTICO explains property types, opportunities, and Spain’s approach to preserving its cultural heritage. Read on

From ruin to retreat: transforming a former inn in the Polish Sudetes

Dutch set designer Urian Hopman transformed a historic ruin in Poland’s Sudetes into a unique rural retreat. Combining original structures with modern design, his interiors reflect a balance of materials, light, and lived-in character. In this interview, he shares his journey from ruin to remarkable home. Read on

Manor in Leźno near Gdańsk available for lease

The well-preserved estate, including a manor house in Renaissance Revival style with park and outbuildings, is offered for lease by the University of Gdańsk. Interested parties may submit written bids until 30 October 2025. Read on

Country estate just outside Hamburg: A good spirit awaiting new guardians

Nicola von Hollander shares insights into the family estate, recounting its history, present life, Tatort filming days, and the good spirits that now pass the manor with its Lenné park near Hamburg to a worthy successor. Read on

Renaissance of old castles in the country

How a historic manor house in Posterstein, threatened by decay, was brought back to life. A local association in Thuringia shows that restoring and revitalizing historic properties does not always have to be a "bottomless pit". Read on

Buying a historic property abroad: save money with a currency broker

Buying a historic property abroad often involves large currency transfers where exchange rates and fees can significantly affect the final cost. A currency broker offers better rates than banks, helps manage timing and protects against currency risks, saving you money and making the process smoother. Read on

Between Tailoring Art and Castle Romance

Frank Wienand is a menswear tailor based in Aachen, Germany. But his entrepreneurial spirit goes beyond fashion: just across the border in Belgium, he is managing a very different project - at a place where fine fabric and elegant clothing have long been part of a refined society. Read on

Palma’s Gallery Owner Gerhardt Braun in Conversation

Gerhardt Braun shapes Palma’s art scene like few others. A conversation about urban palaces, curatorial concepts, and creative visions along Mallorca’s capital’s art gallery district. Read on

A Palace with a View – Chinchilla’s "Casa de la Cúpula"

Far from the islands, tapas bars and tourist crowds, Castile-La Mancha – the former heartland of the Spanish crown – surprises with a wealth of urban and rural manor houses, often still available at remarkably reasonable prices, as seen with the Casa solariega de los Moreno in Chinchilla. Read on

Beesenstedt: Life in the castle - driven by vision and heart

Between rural charm, historic preservation, and the dancefloor: why Schloss Beesenstedt in Saxony-Anhalt has become a hidden gem for artists, businesses, and creatives - and what makes this place truly unique. Read on

Historic properties in Spain as a profitable investment opportunity

Castles, palaces and masias in Spain: a booming wedding industry is creating new economic opportunities for investors. The market for exclusive event venues is steadily growing, with Catalonia being particularly popular for international weddings and events. Read on