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Johannstorf Castle: Danger of collapse! Emergency backup required until Christmas 2025
Mayor Kuhfuß provides information about the emergency safety work at the badly damaged Johannstorf Castle in northwest Mecklenburg.
Johannstorf Castle: Danger of collapse! Emergency backup required until Christmas 2025
In Johannstorf, not far from Lake Dassow, the emergency securing work on the historic castle is under high pressure. Mayor Sascha Kuhfuß von Dassow is on site several times a week and volunteers with monument protection authorities and the German Foundation for Monument Protection. The historic structure was severely damaged by a devastating fire on March 1, 2023, and the damage remains clearly visible. The work on emergency protection began in August 2023, but was delayed by a month because agreements with the responsible authorities were necessary, such as Baltic Sea Newspaper reported.
The current situation at the castle is worrying: there is a risk of collapse in numerous places. The situation is particularly critical on the ground floor ceiling, which is still contaminated with building rubble. Mayor Kuhfuß expressly warns against entering the castle as this could endanger life. Despite the massive damage, the German Foundation for Monument Protection shows solidarity and has provided 550,000 euros for emergency protection. However, this sum might not be enough to realize the entire project, which is why contact has already been made to the insurance company.
Construction progress and challenges
The first glimpses of the fire ruins make it clear how serious the destruction is. A heavy construction crane has now been used to remove the stone rubble from inside the ruins, and beams are being installed for the first time to stabilize the building. Mayor Kuhfuß reports on specially erected scaffolding and a makeshift bridge that allows access for heavy equipment. The emergency roof is scheduled to be completed by Christmas 2025 at the latest. However, it remains unclear whether the financing of the entire measures is sufficiently secured, as the total costs are now over 800,000 euros, as Tagesschau shows in detail.
The city of Dassow has owned the castle since May 2023, but the future of the building remains uncertain. The mayor is hoping for a buyer who will bring the castle back to life. Not only is it reminiscent of a rich history, but in 2008 it was also the backdrop for the film “The White Ribbon – a German Children's Story”. In addition, the complex is a less elaborate replica of Bothmer Castle in Klütz, which underlines its cultural value.
The challenges are great, but the hope remains that Johannstorf Castle will not only be renovated, but also brought back to life. Citizens and lovers of historical buildings can only hope that there will soon be light at the end of the tunnel and that this gem of the region can shine again.