Top 10 Castles around Gransee

The neo-baroque garden element was built by Count Philipp Conrad zu Eulenburg (1820 –1889) in the course of the palace renovations in 1876/77 in the central axis of the palace park. During this time, the entire park received decorative elements with terraces, fountains, sculptures and elaborate plantings in accordance with the taste of the time. More information at: https://www.dkb-stiftung.de/projekt/historischer-spaziergang/

The romantic park element was built around 1900 in the form of an artificial ruin. In addition to a concrete cap ceiling, the building consists of both field stones and historical sandstone elements. Some of these come from demolished parts of old buildings such as the Berlin Art Academy and Nuremberg's Sebalduskirche. The park-side entrance stone of the Rosenburg bears the inscription, based on the so-called bridal gate of the Sebalduskirche: "The bridal gate greets you solemnly". The castle served as a playhouse for the children of the estate. The dainty building had doors and windows that could be locked and furnished in a way that was suitable for children. Unfortunately nothing of the interior has survived. The Spielburg probably owes its name to the once lush rose plantations on the park-side, terraced slope. Perhaps also their builder, Prince Philipp von Eulenburg, the author of the “Rose Songs” and his enthusiasm for roses. More information at: https://www.dkb-stiftung.de/die-rosenburg/

The origins of the castle building in Liebenberg probably date back more than 500 years. In 1460, the diocese of Brandenburg sold the small town of Löwenberg, including Liebenberg, to the prominent von Bredow family from Brandenburg. After the end of the Thirty Years' War, the Prussian chief hunter Jobst Gerhard von und zu Hertefeld (1594-1659), who came from Kleve, bought the Liebenberg property with two houses in 1652. The Hertefelds settled Lower Rhine and Dutch families who were skilled at building dikes and canals and reclaiming the swampy landscape. Ludwig Casimir built the first one-story manor house between 1743 and 1747. After the end of the Napoleonic Wars in 1815, Karl Adolf Freiherr von und zu Hertefeld (1794-1867) led the property to new prosperity. He built a larger manor house on the site of the first building in 1833/1834, which became the starting point of the castle. He remained childless and bequeathed the Liebenberg properties to his great-niece, who was married to the East Prussian Count Philipp Conrad zu Eulenburg (1820-1889). Around 1875, he expanded the manor house to include a hall wing with a stair tower and a terrace facing the park. This expansion gave the building complex a castle feel for the first time. His son Philipp, Prince of Eulenburg from 1900, and Hertefeld (1847-1921), close friend and advisor of Kaiser Wilhelm II, added numerous representative buildings in a historicizing style to the palace complex. Among other things, a chapel was built as an extension of the hall wing and a courtyard branching off towards the church. With the relocation of the road that was once near the castle to its current course, a park-like and representative driveway with small hunters' houses was created, and the castle courtyard gate was built, on the pillars of which two lions were enthroned. The courtyard bar was probably destroyed by arson in 1945 and was only rebuilt in 2004 as an event and conference room. The T-shaped lock bar was spared from the fire, but was looted from 1945 onwards after the royal family fled and was expropriated. In 1946 Liebenberg became an SED school property. After 1989, the castle and estate were leased several times until it was acquired by the DKB STIFTUNG in 2005 for social commitment. It is based here and maintains Schloss & Gut Liebenberg in accordance with the principles of monument protection.

The monastery was probably founded around 1230 by the Counts of Arnstein, who also called themselves Counts of Lindow. In 1542 the Reformation was introduced and the monastery was converted into a Protestant convent for women. It was one of the richest monasteries in the Mark until 1638, when it was destroyed by imperial troops along with its valuable library and documents.

In his novel "Der Stechlin" Fontane described the monastery of Lindow and its historic cemetery as Kloster Wutz. “Lindow is as lovely as its name. It grows between three lakes and old linden trees take it under their shade,” is how Fontane expresses his feelings about the idyllic location that he has visited several times.

Liebenberg Castle is another highlight of the region and is located near the White Lake. The castle is a historic complex from the 14th century and has been repeatedly expanded and rebuilt over the centuries. Today the castle houses a hotel and offers its guests an unforgettable ambience. The castle is surrounded by an extensive park and offers a fantastic view of the White Lake. If you want to take a break from the hike, you can visit the castle and go on a journey through time. The castle museum shows numerous exhibits from bygone times and offers an insight into the history of the region.

We included the castle in one of our hikes. We walk through the park to the back of the estate with its functional buildings and the church. We are pleasantly surprised; everything has been largely restored and there are information boards describing the history everywhere. We discover the museum in the old Inspector House, the oldest surviving half-timbered building in the region, from 1698. We didn't find much about this in our preliminary research, but we are amazed at its scope. The story begins in 1267 with the first mention of Liebenberg. We were not prepared for the wealth of information. In another building we see the lapidarium, for which you can get a key. At least two hours must be planned for the park and museum.

You should take your time for the monastery ruins and the surrounding area. The garden of the book with its diverse plants is worth exploring. The atmosphere of the cemetery with the many stone and iron crosses, as well as the sarcophagi, has its own charm. Some of the sarcophagi are richly decorated, a closer look is worthwhile. Recommendation: put your ear to it....👻....