Schloss Johannstorf

Could a grand estate like Schloss Johannstorf truly fall into ruin? Schloss Johannstorf stands before you, a poignant testament to the passage of time and shifting fortunes. Originally the manor house of a vast estate, Schloss Johannstorf rests between Travemünde and Dassow. It’s a baroque beauty, tragically neglected and inaccessible to the public. The story of Schloss Johannstorf begins in the 16th century with the Buchwald family. Through marriage, the estate passed to Claus Schack, creating the Schack von Buchwald lineage. One notable Schack von Buchwald, a Lübeck Cathedral canon, commissioned the current Schloss in 1743. This replaced a medieval moated castle, a grand upgrade for him and his wife, Eleonore. The estate changed hands again in 1782, becoming the home of the Eckermann family for generations until 1945. Post-war land reforms saw the family dispossessed, and Schloss Johannstorf became a residential building. A glimmer of hope appeared in 1992 with the sale of the Schloss to an investor. He envisioned a grand restoration, similar to another project of his. Unfortunately, disputes and legal battles stalled the project. The Schloss became a haunting backdrop for Michael Haneke’s film “The White Ribbon” in 2008, its decaying grandeur captured on celluloid. Years of legal wrangling followed. The city of Dassow, seeking to reclaim the Schloss, finally won a court case in 2011. However, the owner appealed, and a settlement was reached in 2013. The owner retained Schloss Johannstorf, promising extensive renovations. By 2020, a new roof and partially restored facade offered a glimpse of its former glory. Sadly, further progress stalled, and the outbuildings continue to decay. This once grand estate remains locked in a battle against time, a silent plea for restoration.