Non mihi sed posteris. Those words above the entrance to Haus in der Sonne offer a clue about what we are about to discover. Haus in der Sonne, or House in the Sun, stands as a testament to history. It is a Radebeul landmark. The house has witnessed centuries unfold. It is nestled in the historic Weinberg landscape.
In 1770, Georg Christian Städter, a Saxon mint master, built this barouqe vineyard house. It was his estate’s main house. Heerklotz, a local master mason, and Gottschalk, a carpenter, helped him realize his vision. The estate had a wine press, cellars, and other buildings.
Look at the weather vane. It sits atop the polygonal structure. Note the initials CGS or GCS. They belong to Georg Christian Städter.
Over time, Haus in der Sonne saw changes. Friedrich Zembsch, a merchant, owned it in the 19th century. He renamed it Friedrichsburg. The building was divided into five apartments after the phylloxera plague.
Martin Hammitzsch, an architect, purchased the property in 1917. He redesigned it in the early 1920s. Hammitzsch expanded the house. He gave it its current name, Haus in der Sonne. Its sunny location inspired him.
Take in the details of Haus in der Sonne. The core is two stories with a hipped roof. A polygonal extension looks like a tower. A single-story wing stretches to the west. Notice the reliefs embedded in the facade. They show agricultural scenes and putti with scales.
Now, consider this. Hammitzsch is famous for designing the Yenidze. It is Dresden’s “Tobacco Mosque”. In 1936, Hammitzsch married Angela Raubal Hitler. She was Adolf Hitler’s half-sister.
The couple sold Haus in der Sonne. It was bought by the German Labour Front in 1937 or 1938. Later, the Heinsius von Mayenburg Verwaltungsgesellschaft acquired it.
During the time of the DDR, the property belonged to VEB Elbe-Chemie. After 1990, heirs regained the property. In 1993, they sold it to a developer. He restored the building.
The house boasts 17 rooms and 5 bathrooms. The grounds cover approximately 12,000 square meters.
Today, Haus in der Sonne continues to shine. Its history is rich. It’s a reminder of the past. It is a beautiful piece of Radebeul’s heritage. The vineyard is now part of the Hermannsberg. It belongs to the Radebeuler Goldener Wagen vineyard.
As we leave Haus in der Sonne, remember the words above the door. Non mihi sed posteris. Not for me, but for those who come after. This house stands for the past. It also stands for the future.