Estates, manor houses, castles and parks: historical evidence of a living European cultural landscape along the southern Baltic coast

Estates, manor houses, castles and parks are a unique historical testimony that is typical of the cultural landscape of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. Manor houses are by no means just a relic from times gone by, but in many regions today they are once again lively places of encounter, culture and recreation. This cultural heritage is an important part of the history of our federal state and helps to shape its appearance. Countless examples provide impressive proof that historic walls and places can also be used in a contemporary way in the 21st century. There is still great interest in estates, both from empirical research circles and from cultural practitioners. However, there are still a large number of estates that are increasingly marked by decay and are therefore in danger of being forgotten. This seminar aims to counteract this.

However, the importance of historic estates as cultural assets is not limited to Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. Throughout the Baltic Sea region, former castles, manor houses and manor houses, as well as the environments often associated with them, are part of a unique cultural heritage that has a lasting impact on the country and its people. They are part of a common European heritage that connects people across topographical and linguistic barriers. This creates encounters and synergies that value the shared cultural heritage and preserve it for the future through restoration and innovation.

Building on our seminar in September 2024, the 2025 seminar will pursue these approaches along the southern Baltic Sea coast. In addition to the geographical focus on Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, the manor house landscape in the Baltic States, in this case especially in Latvia, will also be examined in more detail. This is intended to motivate greater appreciation and commitment to the shared historical and cultural heritage in the Baltic region.

Seminar preparation: Europäische Akademie Mecklenburg-Vorpommern e.V.

Seminar leader: Arne Franke, art and architecture historian