Picture this. A grand estate nestled on a hillside overlooking the Elbe River. This is Keppschloss. Its history whispers tales of influential figures and dramatic transformations.
Originally a simple vineyard estate Keppschloss’s story begins much earlier than its current imposing form. It started as a humble vineyard around 1750. A wine house and press stood on this land in the 17th century. This marked the beginning of the estate that would become Keppschloss.
Camillo Marcolini the Saxon Master of the Horse and Privy Councilor desired a summer residence near his master Frederick Augustus III. He purchased the estate around 1774. He was Catholic so his purchase had to be made through an intermediary. The purchase included a large vineyard. Marcolini expanded the property significantly over several years. He even acquired the nearby Hosterwitz mill and a hill known as the Zuckerhut. It was only in 1807 that Marcolini officially became the owner. This was due to new laws granting equal rights to Catholics and Protestants. Marcolini added to his summer residence. One addition was a private bowling alley. He also built a pleasure pavilion. A future pope Leo XII even visited. This led to one building being nicknamed the “Pope’s Little Castle”.
After Marcolini’s death his heirs sold off parts of the estate. Peter Marcolini reacquired some land but sold it in 1834. The new owner Friedrich Wilhelm von Trautvetter had the Keppschloss remodeled by the architect Woldemar Hermann. From 1840 onwards the estate was called K”opp- and later Keppschloss. In 1850 Trautvetter added to the main building. He added a stair tower.
The next owner Robert Thode a banker acquired Keppschloss in 1861. He connected the main house and a secondary building in the Neo-Gothic Tudor style. He created a unified structure with a new central tower. This included a new grand staircase and main entrance. Thode did not enjoy his renovated home for long however. He sold Keppschloss in 1865. Grand Duchess Augusta Caroline of Mecklenburg-Strelitz became the owner in 1872. She used Keppschloss as her summer residence. She even took the name Countess of Stargard.
The Keppschloss has seen various uses in the 20th and 21st centuries. It served as a children’s convalescent home and a shelter. After World War II refugees lived at Keppschloss. The property was later expropriated. Between 1951 and 1989 it was a training facility for the East German Civil Defence. Several alterations took place. Three towers were partly demolished and the crenellations replaced with simpler roofs. An extra half-story was added for more living quarters. Additional buildings were constructed for training. Later the Saxon Academy of Administration and Economics used the building. In the end Keppschloss was purchased by a real estate company in 2004. The estate was renovated into seven condominiums.
The Keppschloss stands today a testament to its rich past. It has endured transformations and changes in ownership. A silent observer of history the Keppschloss continues to enchant all who behold it.