When the morning light sweeps low across the Elbe river meadows, a courtyard comes into view, still glistening with dew. The old cobblestones shimmer, birds circle above the roof ridge, and the gentle sound of church bells drifts over.
The administrator's house is part of a former Knights Hospitaller commandery, whose origins date back to the Middle Ages. For decades, the building stood half-forgotten on the outskirts of the small Hanseatic town of Werben, until a group of female architects and designers began to carefully open up the complex. Thick walls, old floorboards, tall windows – nothing seems accidental, nothing cluttered. Instead: clarity, natural materials, and a sense of proportion. The rooms are flooded with light and furnished simply with handcrafted details and colors that reflect the landscape outside. Guests experience spaces that offer room for community, reflection, peace, and relaxation. The vision of transforming a historic building into a vibrant, future-oriented project that is ecological, circular, and open to all has become a reality.
The small town of Werben is rich in history, surprisingly vibrant, and yet pleasantly quiet. Galleries, small cafés, and initiatives demonstrate how sustainable tourism and cultural engagement can go hand in hand. The former estate manager's house is part of this new, respectful approach to the town. From the courtyard, the view sweeps across the garden and the adjacent meadows dotted with fruit trees. In summer, insects buzz among the blooming flowers.
A stay here isn't about a change of scenery, but a change of perspective. For a weekend or longer. For everyone looking for places they can discover naturally and at their own pace.
| Apartment | from100 € |
In 2025, the Verwalterinnenhaus underwent an ecological renovation and was transformed into six apartments – a place where old structure and new ideas seamlessly blend together. The remarkable aspect is the clarity: old and new meet without any hint of dissimulation or competition. Exposed wood meets clay plaster, historic bricks meet contemporary balconies. The interventions are precise – one can see what has been added and sense what has remained. The balcony on the west facade makes a subtle statement for future-oriented construction. Most of the tradespeople come from the Altmark region and have years of experience working on existing buildings. Wood, clay, brick, reeds, lime – much of it comes from the region or was reused wherever possible. The craftspeople were open to innovation and unconventional construction methods – for example, the cement-free floor on the garden level is a first for the building's shell construction; shell limestone was used instead of cement, which would have consumed significantly more energy. Great emphasis was placed on views through and out. Thus, the architecture of the house already creates a distinctive atmosphere. The selected materials support the calm, grounded and refined atmosphere in the apartments.
There is no restaurant in the building, but a well-stocked organic shop in the region offers a wide selection of products. Additionally, a baker's van makes its rounds through the village once a week, announcing its arrival with a ringing bell.
Cleaning, care, and garden maintenance are handled by people from Werben and the surrounding area. The work is done in small teams, with flexible hours and short commutes. The house's facilities – especially the garden and sauna – can be used as needed. It's a work environment based on trust and close relationships. A regional social services organization takes care of collecting, cleaning, and delivering the house's own laundry (no rental linens). The close proximity and personal contact with management facilitates communication and coordination of this essential aspect of the operation.
Ecological renovation is the foundation: clay plaster, hemp lime, wood fiber insulation, cement-free screed, and reed ceilings. Materials that take responsibility – both in terms of building physics and atmosphere. A large rainwater cistern supplies the garden and toilets; a greywater system reduces drinking water consumption; the roof tiles were reused in a closed-loop system. In the basement, an old vaulted cellar was uncovered and converted into a sauna. Cleaning and maintenance are carried out with biodegradable products, and waste is consistently separated. Guests are provided with certified natural cosmetics shampoo, hand soap, shower gel, dish soap, and dishwasher tablets.
The sauna and relaxation room are located in the vaulted, brick-built cellar. This part of the building is even older than the house itself. Enveloped in warmth, subtle aromas, and architectural history, you can enjoy moments of tranquility. Sustainable yoga mats from hejhej are provided free of charge.
Fotos: Anna Schwalbe
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