Suche
Mein Konto
Meseberg Castle: A jewel in the state's thorn pipe! Why does it remain empty?
Meseberg Castle in Brandenburg has stood unused for over a year while the government considers future uses.
Meseberg Castle: A jewel in the state's thorn pipe! Why does it remain empty?
Meseberg Castle, the charming guest house of the federal government, has changed a lot in the last few months. In the picturesque Gransee, about 60 kilometers north of Berlin, it has been sitting unused for almost a whole year. daily news reports that the castle, once a treasured location for many high-ranking state visits, is currently a shadow of its former self. Past prominent guests include Jacques Chirac, Vladimir Putin and George W. Bush, who visited the castle in 2007, 2018 and 2008.
The last official use took place in May 2024, when ex-Chancellor Olaf Scholz received Emmanuel Macron in a festive setting. Since then the castle has seen little life, apart from an open day. The cabinet meeting of the new federal government was not held here, but in the Villa Borsig in Berlin.
A historical legacy in its sleeping beauty
The lord of the castle, Hans-Heinrich von Sribk, who is also chairman of the Messerschmitt Foundation, had the building restored and gave it to the federal government for a symbolic price of just one euro per year. That contract expires in January 2027, and it is unclear whether the government will continue to have interest in the property after that deadline. Federal Government explains that during its heyday the castle served as a venue for conferences and receptions; Today, however, vacancy is the sad reality.
In 2019, the Taxpayers' Association pointed out the high costs of maintaining the castle, which turned out to be overwhelming in relation to the few events organized. From 2015 to 2018, the costs of protection by the federal police amounted to over 15 million euros, which amounts to around five million euros annually for taxpayers.
The future of the castle
Von Sribk expressed the wish to make Meseberg Castle once again an important place for meetings of heads of state and informal discussions. But if the contract is not renewed, he plans to remove the valuable furniture and close the castle. The specially installed technology and security precautions would have to be dismantled, and the idea of using it as a museum is viewed as financially unclear.
Particularly noteworthy is the fact that Emmanuel Macron is currently on a state visit to Germany, and this is the first visit by a French president in almost 25 years. Given such significant occasions, one might think that Schloss Meseberg would like to reinvent itself, but one could be happy to see the sublime building once again take on a role at the heart of political conversations.