For those of us who weren’t aware before, here’s a revelation! Did you know that the
Königsbrunn Castle, otherwise known as the
Lahnstein’s place of residence on “
Verbotene Liebe,” is in fact, a
REAL-LIFE, inhabited castle?! I for one, never knew that. Yes, just like in the fairy tales,
Ehreshoven Castle (the real name of the fictional Königsbrunn Castle), stands majestically in the mountains of Germany or more specifically, it’s in Engelskirchen, Oberbergischer Kreis, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. Phew, what a mouthful, indeed! While it’s not open to the public, who knows, perhaps one can view it from outside her gates, eh?
Anyway, here’s a little something for those of you interested in knowing more about the fictional
Königsbrunn but very real
Ehreshoven Castle! There was a documentary featured on the program,
“Hier und Heute” on German TV
(WDR Regional) back in June 2009. The journalists,
Katharina Gugel & Ulf Eberle, did interviews with the current inhabitants of the Castle.
Here’s the original text in German describing the documentary – with English translation
(more or less!).
(Deutsch)
Schloss der alten Damen 13.06.09 17:20 Uhr
Ein paar barocke Möbel und Ölgemälde wandern über den Außenaufzug in das neue und letzte Zuhause für Irmgard von Marburg. Sie zieht ins Damenstift auf Schloss Ehreshoven im Bergischen Land. Wie den anderen Bewohnerinnen - Freifrauen, Gräfinnen und Prinzessinnen - ist ihr nicht viel geblieben aus dem Familienbesitz. Die von Marburgs mussten nach dem Krieg aus Schlesien fliehen und beinahe alles zurücklassen.
Gemeinsames Essen unter dem Kronleuchter, eine Runde Schwimmen im tiefer gelegten Springbrunnen und dazwischen ein Tässchen Mokka im Park oder Puzzeln im gelben Zimmer. Wird die Neue mit 72 Jahren die jüngste frischen Wind in die alten Gemäuer bringen? Auf jeden Fall werden sie sich von den alten Zeiten erzählen, von Verlust und dem zähen Ringen um Selbständigkeit. Die Reporter Katharina Gugel und Ulf Eberle trafen u.a. Prinzessin Lobkowicz, die es es von Kroatien nach Kenia verschlug, wo sie 35 Jahre lang eine Schule leitete.
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(English)
The Castle of the Old Ladies....
© ard.de
A few baroque pieces of furniture and oil paintings lay by the outside elevator in the new and last home for Irmgard von Marburg. She pulls in her writing inspiration on castle Ehreshoven in the mountain broad land. Like the other inhabitants - baronesses, countess and princesses – she doesn’t have much remained from the family estate. The Marburgs had to flee after the war from Silesia, hence left behind nearly everything. So what’s left went out to the other twelve old, impecunious ladies from the aristocratic houses who spend their old age together in the castle.
© ard.de
So, how do the ladies spend their time? Having common food under the chandelier, enjoying a round swimming pool in the more deeply laid fountain and in-between, no harm in having a little cup of mocha in the park or simply doing a jigsaw puzzle in the yellow room. Will the new inhabitant at the age of 72 years bring the latest fresh wind to the old masonry? Will she introduce the bridge play again what some would find good while the others find impossible because, well, let’s face it, the ladies argue constantly?
© ard.de
Anyway they will tell their stories in their own words about the old times, from loss to the tough struggle around independence. Princess Lobkowitz, for example, escaped from Croatia to Kenya where she led a school for 35 years. Once, Countess Beissel bred racing horses who was also a jockey! Countess Spee who was saved from the war, possesse the only precious object - a very rare Meißner porcelain chandelier - which now hangs in this extraordinary
“old people's home.”
© ard.de
Here’s a film about quite a special lady's apartment-sharing community from reporters,
Katharina Gugel & Ulf Eberle...
You can view the entire documentary here....
http://www.podcast.de/episode/1260833/Hier_und_Heute:_13.06.2009,_Im_Schloss_der_alten_Damen
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(c)ard.de
...and finally...
Here are some interesting points of the Castle:
1. History of its existence goes as far back as 1355.
2. First given to the family of the Count of Nesselrode who owned it until 1920.
3. Although nobody has owned up to building or planning this Baroque castle, it’s said that the artist belonged to the Circle of the Düsseldorf Court.
(very applicable for “VL” since it’s Düsseldorf, wouldn’t you say!)
4. After the end of the Nesselrode’s possession of the castle, it was transformed into a
“Damenstift” (chapter of nuns) which is a charitable foundation for Cannonesses, which is still known as of today – a changing number of ladies living here under the leadership of a so-called
“Abtissin” (a superior of a convent, so to speak) who takes care of the household and the welfare of the Cannonesses.
5. The estate is run by a trustee who has to gain enough profit from forestry and farming to provide for the well-being of the old ladies and to ensure the upkeep of the buildings and the grounds.
**Apparently, in return for using Ehreshoven Castle as “Königsbrunn Castle,” the producers of “Verbotene Liebe” contribute financially to the trustee** (BIG thumbs up to “VL” for lending a helping hand, so to speak!)
(further reading can be found on Wikipedia)
Special thanks to Muis for the pictures!