Verwalterinnenhaus

Each mile toward this charming retreat is one mile away from the hustle and bustle of the world. The fact that everything here in the Altmark region of Saxony-Anhalt moves at a more leisurely pace becomes clear at the latest when you take the old cable ferry to Werben – incidentally, the smallest city of the historical Hanseatic League. Of course, you could also take the road connections or the bridges over the Elbe, but the nostalgic crossing is part of the experience. You can let your gaze wander over the meadows, watch the birds, and feel like you've arrived before you're even there. On the other side, an enchanting village awaits, with cobblestone streets and half-timbered houses in various colors, some lovingly renovated, others still with a dilapidated charm. During a tour on the Elbe Cycle Route, architects Aimée Michelfelder and Jurek Brüggen fell in love with the vacant Komturei, originally a commandery of the Order of St. John, right next to St. John's Church. Together with the city and other architects, they are now revitalizing the ensemble of red brick buildings with apartments, seminar rooms, a yoga room, studios, and workshops. Good for us: six simple yet beautiful vacation apartments have been created in the listed administration building. It was erected in 1890, and more resembles a mansion than an office. Over the course of two years, the building was ecologically renovated, using traditional materials and in collaboration with local craftsmen, who reused the existing clinker bricks on the façade, refurbished the original historic beams and windows, and only replaced what could not be saved. The interior focuses on deliberate reduction, with clear forms, muted tones, custom-designed furniture and fixtures – and lots of light streaming in through the tall arched windows. Could there be a more beautiful setting to take a deep breath and relax at the leisurely pace of the Altmark?

WHAT WE LIKE MOST:

• The principle of the architects who renovated the house so carefully: preserve what is still sound, renew what is missing. This allows the building, which was originally built on medieval foundations, to continue to breathe history today.
• The use of many natural and traditional materials such as clay and lime plaster, wood fiber and hemp insulation, and oiled and glazed wood. The paths and squares on the grounds were designed using recycled concrete aggregate.
• The selection of furnishings: Here you will find purist metal lights, beds and tables, shelves and side tables, which were designed and built by local craftsmen especially for the house. They show off the thick walls, old floorboards and high windows to their best advantage.
• That nothing here appears cluttered. Clear shapes, bright rooms, and natural tones create space for rest and relaxation—and provide optimal conditions for letting your thoughts run free.
• The sauna in the historic vaulted cellar, where you can warm up after long walks. From the inside, you can look through the glass front at the old walls.
• The analog photographs on the walls are by a local photographer. Anne Schwalbe's pictures show the light, landscape, and flora of the region, with many of them taken in and around Werben.
• The idea of turning the historic building complex into a vibrant project for the future. It is ecological, circular, and open to all, offering plenty of creative freedom, whether for retreats, workshops, artistic work, or simply relaxation. 
• The renovation also took wildlife into account. The team worked with a local ornithologist to design nesting and living spaces for birds, bats, and wild bees.
• The location in the middle of nowhere between Hamburg and Berlin, surrounded by the UNESCO Elbe River Landscape Biosphere Reserve, is a wonderful place for walks where you can observe deer, foxes, cranes, or ospreys, for summer days by the water, for canoe trips, and for bike rides along avenues lined with pollarded willows and dike paths.

GOOD TO KNOW:

• The six apartments vary in size, accommodating between two and eight guests. Each apartment has a balcony or terrace, and some also have a wood-burning stove. Several apartments or the entire house can be rented for a maximum of 24 people.
• Each of the two apartments on the garden level are suitable for 2 guests and have access to the courtyard. Two further apartments are located on the mezzanine floor and can accommodate 2 to 4 guests.
• There is room for families or small groups in the attic apartment with three bedrooms, a study with a fold-out daybed, and a common area for 6 to 8 guests, or in the maisonette apartment in the tower for 4 guests.
• The sauna’s relaxation room in the vaulted cellar can also be used for yoga; mats are available for guests.
• There is no restaurant in the building, but there is a small shop with a selection of food and drinks. Guests can also order an organic box of fresh, local fruit and vegetables before arrival. And at the pretty Café Lämpel you can get freshly baked cakes at the weekend.
• For excursions in the surrounding area, guests can hire bicycles (10 euros per day), which are equipped with a basket for a picnic on the Elbe – Werben is located on the Elbe Cycle Route. Those who want to go paddling can get everything they need from the local rental shop – and may encounter one of 1,200 Elbe beavers on their tour.
• Sustainability is a top priority here: there is a holistic energy concept and fine natural cosmetics in refillable jars.
• Werben is about 140 kilometers from Berlin and about 200 kilometers from Hamburg. A climate-friendly journey is possible if you combine public transport and cycling. From Glöwen station, the cycle route to Werben takes about an hour (including the ferry crossing). However, there is also an on-call bus, or you can take a taxi for the last few kilometers.