THE »ROTES WACHHAUS» (RED WATCHHOUSE) AT WÖRLITZ
Stay in a historic building in the midst of nature directly on the Elbe dyke
Holiday home of the Kulturstiftung DessauWörlitz
The elegant upper floor with stuccoed walls also served Prince Franz as occasional accommodation.
Historic significance
The neo-classical watchhouse on the banks of the »Großes Walloch« (lit. Great Dyke Hole – a lake formed by receding floods) was built in 1772. It emerged after designs by Friedrich Wilhelm von Erdmannsdorff, at a time when construction work at Schloss Wörlitz was still underway under his direction. The ground floor historically contained a stove – otherwise it was used to house tools for flood protection. The elegant upper floor with its stuccoed walls served Prince Franz as occasional accommodation.
From here he enjoyed the view across the water in a westerly direction towards the Schloss and St. Peter’s Church. From the window in the east the view leads towards a flood defence installation, the »Seven Hills« with the so-called Proteus-Stone with the inscription „Höret Nachkommen eine euch warnende Stimme, vorsichtiger Fleiss schuf diese Hügel und dieses Gebüsch um die feldbewahrenden Dämme vor dem zerstörenden Eise zu bewahren. Wendet alles an sie zu erhalten. (”Heareth, descendents, this warning voice, thoughtful diligence created these hills and bushes to protect the crop-saving dykes from the destructive ice. Undertake everything to maintain them.)
Staying at the Red Watchhouse
The house was refurbished in 2005/06. It is equipped with a small kitchen, bath tub and toilet on the ground floor as well a lounge and bedroom on the upper floor. Bookings can be made via the Hotel »Zum Stein«, which is located about 800 meters from the house.
Prices
Per person per night 82.-€ (Sun-Thu) 92.-€ (Fr-Sat)
Price per person per night from 3 nights 79.-€
(Minimum stay 2 nights)
Services
Included in the price are:
-a breakfast basket
-drinks in the minibar
(wine, mineral water, apple juice, beer)
-a small guide through the Garden Kingdom of Dessau-Wörlitz
-rental bikes
-parking at the Hotel »Zum Stein«, including transfer from/to the hotel
-free use of the Roman Bath and Sauna Landscape at the Hotel »Zum Stein«
Special offers
Arrival by horse-drawn carriage (60 mins) 45.00 € per person
Arrival by gondola (80 mins) 70.00 € per person
Cold evening buffet (three courses), delivery per person 19.00 €
Indulging half-board, three courses, with warm main course, for 22.00 € per Person
Princely breakfast with Ruinart champagne (0.375 l) and salmon for two people, 33.00 €