Below manor house receives funding for faithful restoration

Wed, 02/14/2024

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From the nationwide funding program "Preservation of Historical Monuments and Cultural Tourism Use of Historical Buildings," six winning projects emerged, including the Below Manor in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. With a funding amount of €50,000 from Castles and Gardens in Germany e.V. and Airbnb, the owners are breathing new and authentically restored life into the estate.

One of the six winning projects of the second funding round of "Castles and Gardens in Germany e.V." is the Below Manor, a protected monument in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. With a funding amount of €50,000, concrete measures are now to be implemented. Dr. Wolfram Klemm, owner and operator of Below Manor, is delighted with the financial support: "The approval of our funding application enables us to take another step in the faithful restoration of our estate in Below, dating back to 1740. Now, the historical reconstruction of the veranda based on old photos is next." The faithful reconstruction is done using traditional building materials and techniques, with an additional focus on sustainability. For the restoration, the owner has already enlisted proven craftsmen who were previously involved in the restoration of the manor house, the ballroom, the wheelwright's shop, and the servant's house. In 2014, they even earned the manor house the first prize at the Federal Prize for Craftsmanship in Monument Conservation.

The Renaissance of Below Manor

For many years, the manor has played a central role in the village structure with numerous social, cultural, and tourist activities. In the years 2012 to 2013, the listed main building underwent comprehensive restoration. The ground floor houses the manor apartment, occupied by the owners themselves. Upstairs, there are two spacious holiday apartments that can be rented separately or together. The historical ballroom was completed in 2014 and is available for various events. Two years later, the old wheelwright's shop was converted into an espresso bar after reconstruction. Since then, it has been operated by the owners themselves and can also be rented for private events. Sylke and Dr. Wolfram Klemm have set further projects for the coming years, including the restoration of the servant's house, beautification of the estate park, and reconstruction of the stable building with the carriage house.

Developments and Expansions Over Time

The oldest documented mention of Below Manor dates back to 1464. However, based on dendrochronological drillings, its construction can be traced back to 1740 by Carl Ludwig Seitz. A map from 1768 provides an overview of the former courtyard of the aristocratic estate Below. In 1815, the manor house was extended by two window axes. In 1840, a servant's house was added on the southern side, and about 20 years later, a hall annex was added on the northern side. In 1870, a park was created in the western direction. In 1892, the veranda was renewed, parquet flooring was laid in the front parlors, and in 1901, the manor cellar was finally constructed.