Rescue for Johannstorf Castle: 550,000 euros for emergency roof after fire!

Rescue for Johannstorf Castle: 550,000 euros for emergency roof after fire!

It was only a few months ago, on March 1, 2025, the Johannstorf water lock experienced a devastating fire, which almost completely destroyed the building. The roof and the upper floor burned out completely, and the historic building has been in the risk of collapse since then. But now there is hope: The German Foundation for Monument Protection has provided the city of Dassow generous 550,000 euros in order to secure the architectural heritage and to conduct damage limitation. According to Ostsee-Zeitung an emergency roof is installed to preserve the water-damaged building from further damage.

The money provided is intended to initiate emergency security measures that also include the construction of an emergency roof. Architect Cornelius Back already has a clear plan: the flat roof is to be completed by autumn 2025. A bridge will be necessary to bring materials and tools near the castle. Logistics also includes a 48-toned autocran that is needed to safely remove fire damage from the inside of the building, such as the Nordkurier reported.

Castle Johannstorf as a cultural heritage

The castle, an important baroque work and one of the last surviving water locks in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, was built between 1740 and 1743. It was not only an architectural masterpiece, but also served in 2008 as a location for the film "The White Band". Mayor Sascha Kuhfuß and deputy Kerstin Weiss were grateful for the immediate help and call the public for further donations to save the historical building. The donation account is set up and the account details are open to the public.

The damage from the fire is considerable: a large part of the interior was almost completely destroyed, but the monument value remains. Dr. Ramona Dornbusch, director of the State Office for Culture and Monument Conservation, expressed concern about the condition of the castle, but hopes for the preservation of parts on the ground floor. The city council of Dassow is now discussing possible future uses of the listed building.

The challenges of fire protection

historical buildings such as Johannstorf Castle are often under special protection. The challenges in fire protection are enormous because they are often made of combustible materials and do not have to meet all current regulations. According to Feuertrutz The existing protection must be taken into account for fire protection measures. Fires can arise unexpectedly and spread quickly, which could also be observed in the case of the castle.

The extinguishing work was particularly challenging due to the unstable structure and the collapsed roof structure. The fire brigade was only able to use water cannons because the building was not stable throughout the extinguishing work. After the fire, smaller embers had to be deleted again and again, which made the situation more difficult. Access to the castle is currently closed to unauthorized persons to continue to minimize the danger.

Overall, there are many challenges in the reconstruction and securing of Johannstorf Castle. The support of the German Foundation for Monument Protection is a first step on a long way to restore this important cultural heritage.