Do you see those crumbling walls? That’s what remains of Dwasieden Castle near Sassnitz. It is a haunting reminder of a grand past. This is more than just ruins. This is a story etched in stone.
Dwasieden Castle’s story begins in the 19th century. Adolph von Hansemann, a wealthy Berlin banker, commissioned it. He wanted a stunning estate. Friedrich Hitzig, a student of Schinkel, designed the castle. It was built from 1873 to 1877. The architecture mirrored the Baltic Sea coast’s spa style. It cost four million marks. The castle was unique in Northern Germany. Its facades used sandstone, granite, and real marble.
Imagine this castle in its prime. It was a two-story building. Columned hallways led to open, temple-like pavilions. Eye-catching observation towers stood at the corners. They rose above the entire structure.
The interior matched the exterior’s grandeur. Rooms featured fine taste and luxury. Gobelin furniture, inherited from Hansemann’s father adorned the rooms. Walls displayed original oil paintings. Landscapes and portraits by master artists were hung. Ceilings were decorated with drawings and paintings by famous artists. Venetian mirrors and chandeliers added to the splendor. Antique white marble fireplaces stood in many rooms. Expensive carpets from Schmiedeberg covered the floors. Numerous works of art represented a fortune in themselves. Visitors were overwhelmed by the opulence.
The park surrounding Dwasieden Castle was equally impressive. It was considered one of Northern Germany’s most beautiful parks. It spanned over 102 hectares.
However, Dwasieden Castle’s glory days were not to last. Gert von Oertzen, Hansemann’s grandson, sold the castle in the 1930s. The municipality of Sassnitz acquired it. In 1935, the German Navy took it over. It became part of their ship artillery school.
Then came World War II and the subsequent Soviet occupation. In 1948, the castle suffered a devastating fate. Following SMAD Order No. 209, it was blown up. This order targeted former aristocratic estates in the Soviet zone. Dwasieden’s military use added to its doom. Only ruins and the burnt-out stable remained.
After German reunification in 1993, there were plans. A “Dwasieden spa area” was envisioned. The castle’s facade would be reconstructed. The building would be integrated into a modern spa with a hotel. These plans never materialized.
In 2007, new plans emerged. A “spa town” with 3,000 beds was proposed. It would incorporate Dwasieden’s remains. Again, these plans failed. In 2018, Dolphin Capital, a real estate company, bought Dwasieden Castle for 18 million euros. They used it as collateral. The company declared insolvency in July 2020.
Today, the ruins of Dwasieden Castle are a haunting reminder of a bygone era. The site is now a popular lost place. It attracts those fascinated by history and decay. The castle stands as a symbol of Sassnitz’s ever-changing past. It reminds us of the grand visions and tragic events that shaped this region.