Craving a glimpse into Bamberg’s past? The Villa Schröppel offers such a portal. This single-story solid structure with its distinctive Mansard roof is a testament to a bygone era.
In 1902 Albrecht Schrőppel a private citizen and chocolate factory owner submitted a building application for this villa. Gustav Haeberle planned it. Schrőppel promised to resell the garden plot and new building to the Bürgerspitalstiftung at a reasonable price. This promise allowed Schrőppel to build. Since 1921 at the latest the Villa Schröppel with its garden has been owned by the Spitalstiftung. No further conversions are known since then.
The Villa Schröppel represents historistic architecture at its finest. Note the detailed street-side features. These include extensions above a high base a standerker a gabled risalit and a stair tower. The brickwork contrasts beautifully with the sandstone elements. The villa also features a terraced garden complete with a fountain and grotto.
Imagine the villa in its prime. Around 1900 the Villa Schröppel stood as a remarkably authentic ensemble. Its garden its original interior and its exterior wholeness created a unique atmosphere. Experts considered it a gem.
But time and progress have taken their toll.
Until 2008 the Schrőppel Villa was considered “an extraordinarily authentically preserved overall ensemble from around 1900”. This quote comes from the art monument inventory volume Michelsberg / Abtsberg. That is history now.
Extensive renovations by city authorities and a lavishly funded federal program have led to significant losses. The historicist villa and its garden ensemble suffered. The four-level terracing of the garden with its features and path guidance using retaining walls were removed. Only a grotto remained but it faced considerable damage from construction stress. Principles of monument preservation articulated in the Charter of Venice and the Charter of Florence were grossly disregarded.
The Charter of Venice calls for preserving a framework appropriate to the monument. If the traditional surroundings still exist they must be preserved. Any new construction any destruction any transformation that could change the interaction of building volume and color is prohibited. According to the Charter of Florence for historic gardens of 1981 every historic garden must be preserved in an appropriate environment. The layout and soil relief structures and furnishings as well as the plantings in their composition their dimensions their color effects their arrangement in space and their respective height must be preserved.
Today an aestheticizing garden redesign is being implemented. It includes a magnificent illuminated staircase.
The destruction didn’t stop there. The historic floor coverings parkett in the living rooms and hexagon tiles in the hallway didn’t survive the renovation. According to workers they were all replaced unnecessarily. The garden faced complete demolition. A pergola a bower and a small pavilion vanished without a trace. All trees were cut down.
Even the sandstone staircase leading to the former monastery entrance was completely renovated. Despite recommendations to consolidate the steps the entire structure was replaced. Now the new staircase is illuminated by 42 spotlights.
Step closer to the grotto. It was once a romantic spot with a symmetrical design two entrances and a water basin. Stone benches and a table invited visitors to linger and listen to the water. But in 2014 it was in poor condition. Piles of tuff stone surrounded it documenting the gradual crumbling of the substance. The city press office stated that felling the last tree at Villa Schröppel was necessary to restore the stability of the grotto.
The Villa Schröppel serves as a cautionary tale. It highlights the delicate balance between preservation and progress. Though attempts were made to preserve its historical integrity the results have been controversial. As you stand here consider the importance of safeguarding our heritage for future generations. The story of Villa Schröppel reminds us that once something is lost it may be gone forever.