While Brandenburg ist more know for its countless abandoned military bases and bunkers – from both the Wehrmacht and the Soviets, as well the seemingly thousands of abandoned industrial sites that were sold off or shuttered after German reunification, its a rare “treat” to come across the remnants of a stately home which so prominently dotted the countryside until 1945. As is almost always the case – not much is left of the Gutshaus Rosengarten, though its demise is of a more recent making.
Gutshaus Rosengarten – 1898 to 1945
The first written mention of the settlement Rosengarten dates back to the 15th century, specifically the year 1495. Like so many villages in Brandenburg, Rosengarten suffered heavily during the 30 years war, with the village, the manor and church all being burnt to the ground in the year 1633. It took another 10 years before the village recovered, though 100 years later Rosengarten would again be destroyed – this time during the 7 years war by russian troops.
In 1816, Rosengarten became part of the district of Frankfurt (Oder), and by 1842 it was connected to the railway line Frankfurt (Oder) – Berlin. As is alsmost always the case, rapid industrialisation quickly followed.
In 1898, the wealthy land owner and farmer Karl Eduard Hugo Rudolf (1854 – 1907) – more commonly known as Rudolf Schulz – built himself an opulent neo-baroque manor. Schulz was an accomplished farmer, well known across the region. He first married the daughter – Rose Scherz (1858 -1891) – of another wealthy landowner, and upon her death married her sister Franziska Scherz (1867 – 1950).
Upon its completion, the Gutshaus Rosengarten consisted of 24 rooms spread over 2 floors, a massive cellar and quite the splendid garden. The entrance of the building was adorned with the busts of three women and an intricate entablature. The Guthaus Rosengarten would remain in the hands of the family of Rudolf Schulz until the end of the second world war.
Gutshaus Rosengarten – 1945 to 1995
The Soviet Military Administration – which controlled the Soviet Occupied zone from 1945 until the establishment of the German Democratic Republic in 1949 – enacted a series of draconian laws and reforms, most notably the land reform of 1945. The “Bodenreform” would see all landowner – who had more than 100 hectares of land – stripped of all property and expelled from their homes. From October 1947 onwards, the SMAD gave the directive that Castles, Estates, Manors etc. that had found no public use after their owners were dispossessed, should be torn down.
The Gutshaus Rosengarten was taken from the Schulz family and turned into a home for war orphans. Soon after, with the state taking more and more control, the building turned into a state run childrens home – housing over 90 children at times. The childrens home was renamed to Kinderheim Martin Schwantes, after the teacher and communist resistance fighter who was murdered by the Nazis in 1945.
The Kinderheim Martin Schwantes continued to operate until 1993, when it was taken over by children’s charity. Years of neglect meant that the building needed serious investment and renovations – to the tune of 5 million marks (roughly €4 million today). This was too much for the city and the charity to stem and the home closed was shut down in 1995.
Gutshaus Rosengarten – 1995 to 2009
The childrens home was sold off in 1995 to an investor who had pleged to renovate the building – but failed to do so. The building ended up for sale again, this time being bought up by descendants of the original owner Rudolf Schulz, though it seems like the renovations costs were to high for them as well. And so the Gutshaus Rosengarten was sold off again in 2007, this time to an investor from Austria who had promised to turn it into an event location, promising concerts, galleries, and parties.
In 2009, someone set fire to the roof- causing massive damage to the building – which resulted in parts of the building collapsing. The Austrian investor gave up his plans and the ruin of the Gutshaus Rosengarten (which sits on 27000qm land) was put up for sale again for the paltry sum of €69000.
Gutshaus Rosengarten Video
There isnt really much left to see of the Gutshaus Rosengarten, as its either completely overgrown or partially collapsed. Nevertheless, heres a short video of this sad little ruin.
Gutshaus Rosengarten Today (2024)
While the ruin of the Gutshaus Rosengarten has been on the market for quite some time, no one has decided to take the risk and buy the property. Quite understandable – considering that the building has progressively deteriorated over the years, no small thanks to missing roof. The cost alone of renovating the building seems like a massive deterrent for anybody thinking about investing here. The once kempt garden has become quite overgrown, blocking most views of the building. Its quite depressing to think that only a few years ago this building and its surroundings – at least from the outside – looked like they were in great shape and well taken care of.
The fire from 2009 did some serious structural damage, and while parts of the wings and cellar are still accessible, theres nothing inside worth taking any sort of risk over. Its highly unlikely that this building will be sold any time soon, and we wouldn’t be surprised if it fell victim to another arson attack or be torn down in the next few years.
Gutshaus Rosengarten Address
Siedlerpl. 2, 15234 Frankfurt (Oder)
52.34075130180741, 14.468655595810938
