For some castles it is simply not possible to find a buyer. State of Thuringia has been looking for investors and a usage concept for the former pleasure palace of Duke Friedrich I of Saxony-Gotha-Altenburg for many years.
Compared to many other castles, knights' estates and mansions in the new federal states of Germany, the castle in Friedrichswerth was still in relatively good condition with the move out of the youth center in the mid-90s: only wrong wall color, tasteless doors and wallpapers, reduced rooms and suspended ceilings have the baroque Building adorned in GDR times. But behind the facade under the false ceilings there is lavish stucco from the time of its creation. Almost completely preserved and for many years only occasionally admired by the public. For example, on the day of the open monument, which regularly attracts many visitors to the Friedrichswerth community, which is otherwise little known beyond the country's borders.
But even the public presence and the great interest in the castle have so far not produced a suitable buyer. There was no shortage of candidates with good intentions: the country has repeatedly rejected plans from potential investors; Too vague, too risky, not sustainable.
For many problem properties, the right buyer or investor is usually found at some point. After a certain time, however, you should check whether all the options have really been exhausted with regard to marketing. The ownership situation of large historical properties in Germany and previous experience show that most of those interested in such properties are generally not to be found on Ernst-Thälmann-Straße next door. However, other problematic properties in the Free State of Thuringia show that foreign investors in particular need a special check: speculators from the Far East do not help cultural heritage.
Witten, North Rhine-Westphalia
