Ferien Werder

Reed-covered banks and old avenues lined with fruit trees surround the historic old town on the island of Werder in Brandenburg's Havelland region. Fishermen's houses, boats gliding by on the water, winding alleys, and cobblestone streets characterize the town: an idyllic island with a touch of Mediterranean flair. Those who travel here from the city will notice it particularly: everything here is much more leisurely – and less hectic. With wide-open spaces all around, it is a wonderful place to relax and find peace. Architects Jurek Brüggen and Aimée Michelfelder have taken over eight vacation apartments at two locations in the town, and are continuing to develop them with creative care and ecological renovations. On the Mühlenberg there is an ensemble of historic buildings, connected by lush gardens with wild oak trees and a vineyard with 800 grape vines. The Remise, a former 18th-century barracks for disabled soldiers, has three apartments. as does its listed Art Deco villa with a tower. Opposite, on the mainland at the end of Scheunhornweg, lies the second location, somewhat hidden directly on the banks of the Havel river. One apartment is located in a studio designed in 1932 by Bauhaus architect Peter Bartning – it includes a roof terrace with a garden and fresh herbs. The second is in a modernized bungalow with a conservatory. Both are nestled in an enchanted, shared garden with old trees, a water lily pond, and a bathing jetty. Here you can sit on the lawn, listen to the water splashing – or jump right in. All these extraordinary accommodations have the lovely advantage of being so wonderfully close to the water.

WHAT WE LIKE MOST:

• The architectural diversity of the buildings: the Bauhaus studio with its clean lines; the garden house, a former garage with a conservatory extension inspired by the Schindler House in California; the tower villa from the 1920s; and the coach house, a country house with a brick gable façade.
• That the original substance has been conserved and reused rather than replaced. Many elements, such as the neo-Gothic stained glass windows, have been restored to their original condition.
• Whether Bauhaus or Art Deco, all of the apartments adhere to an interior design concept that focuses on the history of the buildings, with white walls and purist furnishings that harmoniously combine the old, the restored, and the new.
• The 7,000m² property on the Mühlenberg with its old oak trees and flower meadows. A narrow path leads directly to the Havel river and the private bathing jetty.
• The interplay of water, garden, and architecture that makes these places so special.
• The Belvedere, a pavilion (presumably) built by Friedrich August Stüler around 1858, sits at the highest point of the Mühlenberg. A beautiful place to sit, read, and let your thoughts wander.
• The magnificent nature that surrounds all the accommodations: shrubs, trees, and hedges form a living network through which you can walk to the houses or the water.
• The hosts know the region very well and know where the most beautiful places are: dining with a view of the Havel river at the Alte Überfahrt restaurant, enjoying natural wines and good bread at Duval, or visiting the market on Plantagenplatz to buy fruit, juice, wine, cheese, and flowers from the region.
• There are lots of little things here to brighten your day: waking up to birdsong, drinking your morning coffee on the jetty, reading a book in a deckchair, paddling around the island on a SUP, or swimming in the Havel under the full moon.

GOOD TO KNOW:

• Eight apartments of varying sizes are spread across four buildings on two properties, both located directly on the river. Each can accommodate between one and six people. All have well-equipped kitchens, and each apartment has a balcony, terrace, or garden access. The entire ensemble can also be rented on request for small productions, photo shoots, parties, or weddings in the countryside. 
• At the Mühlenberg there is a lake sauna right on the jetty to the Havel river. Guests at both locations can use it at any time – and after sweating it out, climb down the ladder on the jetty into the river.
• Children of all ages are welcome, and baby beds are available free of charge on request.
• Sustainability is a key focus here: much of the furniture is second-hand and has been refurbished, and 100 percent renewable green electricity is used.
• You can take long walks between the Rondo, Regent, Phönix, and Solaris grape vines ripening on the slopes of the vineyard for the estate's own organic wine.
• Inside the Belvedere is a small self-service shop selling wine and apple juice made from home-grown fruit.
• Between the garden and the vineyard on the Mühlenberg lies the HAIN Haus, built from field stones, wood, and clay. It has a wine press and a yoga studio, or you can relax after a sauna with a view of the countryside. It can also be rented for small groups and workshops on request.
• Those who feel adventurous can take a bike ride along the Havel, go on excursions to Brandenburg or the Potsdam palace parks, or try out the cafés and restaurants in the island's old town.
• The regional express train stops in Werder and runs several times an hour between Berlin and Brandenburg (travel time approx. 30 minutes).