Jersbek

Nestled amidst the picturesque landscapes of Schleswig-Holstein lies the charming Gemeinde of Jersbek. Jersbek first appeared in historical records in 1310 as “Yrekesbeke”. This village is renowned for its magnificent estate. The estate includes a manor house from 1620, a gatehouse dating back to 1678, and a remarkable icehouse, likely constructed around 1736-1737. Jersbek’s estate is a true gem, captivating visitors from near and far. In 1588, the Jersbek estate became independent from the Borstel estate thanks to an inheritance agreement. Hans von Buchwaldt oversaw this transition. The Renaissance manor house, situated on an island, embodies typical Holstein architecture. It features a double house with saddle roofs, a tower-like annex, and later additions of side wings. A charming roof turret adorns the gatehouse. The estate flourished under Benedikt von Ahlefeldt in the mid-18th century. He commissioned the creation of the Jersbeker Baroque Garden in French style. This expansive park, asymmetrically positioned to the manor house, ranked among Holstein’s largest Baroque gardens. Designed around a now-lost pleasure house, remnants of the garden remain accessible to visitors today. Multi-row linden alleys frame the former bosquets. Parts of the sight axis are still visible. Imposing hedge espalier divide the individual sections. The modern Gemeinde of Jersbek emerged from 1781 onwards. The landowner Paschen von Cossel settled around 30 hereditary tenant families on his parceled farm fields. Paschen von Cossel also initiated the abolition of serfdom in the villages under his estate’s jurisdiction starting in 1785. This was 20 years before its official abolishment on January 1, 1805. After Prussia annexed Schleswig-Holstein in 1867, Jersbek became part of the Stormarn district. With the introduction of the Prussian Municipal Code, the “Parzellistenkommune Jersbek” gained independence in 1872. It coexisted as a political entity alongside the Jersbek estate district until 1932. Then, both merged to form the present-day Gemeinde of Jersbek. Today, Jersbek offers not only historical charm but also natural beauty. The Jersbeker Forst (forest), the vast fields and meadows of the estate, and the nearby Duvenstedter Brook nature reserve contribute to the area’s serene atmosphere. In the district of Klein Hansdorf, a part of Jersbek, lies the Hansdorfer Brook, a protected breeding ground for cranes.