Vogelsang Manor – English charm in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania
On the border to Mecklenburg Switzerland, in the municipality of Lalendorf, lies the village of Vogelsang with its striking manor house.
Via an access road you reach the Vogelsang manor house, which today is located in a beautiful park. It was not always like this. When the current owner Dr. Robert Uhde bought the estate in 2010, there was a dilapidated building and an overgrown park.
History of the manor house
But first, let’s look back.
Prince of Werle gave Vogelsang to the Wozenitz brothers in 1379. The first written mention of the village dates back to this year. The estate remained in the possession of the family until 1734.
The next possessions, the von Plessen family laid out the village of Vogelsang and farmed the estate until 1838.
It was followed by the bourgeois Manecke family. They had the present manor house built and an English park laid out.
After several changes of ownership, the Hamburg merchant Julius Hünicken took over the estate in 1884. He had built up quite a successful business. His overseas trade specialized in South America and the transport of guano (bird droppings) and brought him a lot of money. Hünicken decided to “retire” in 1869 and became an estate owner in Mecklenburg. In addition to the Vogelsang property, he bought other estates: Kaarz estate, Weitendorf, Kölpin near Crivitz. He rebuilt all the estates into stately residences. The family’s coat of arms is still displayed above the entrance to the manor house.
The estate experienced an economic upswing during this period. Of course, this was also reflected in new investments. An ice cellar and a tea house were built in the park. Additional buildings such as a coach house, an inspector’s house and the stables with the water tower were built.
The family remained landowners until the end of the Second World War, when they were expelled by the Red Army. The Red Army turned Vogelsang into a supply estate. Later it became a nationally owned estate.
From 1990 the manor house stood empty. In the meantime, speculators owned the property. They carried away and dismantled what was not nailed down and used the parts in other objects. In 2010, Dr. Robert Uhde bought the Vogelsang manor house and the associated estate.
Herrrenhaus Vogelsang – a tour
Even as you approach the manor house, you can see how grand the building is. The plastered brick building has two floors and is characterized by two small towers. A battlement makes the building look almost like a small English castle. I find the staircase that leads into the house impressive.
A small interesting fact on the side: The house is 17 meters wide, 17 meters deep and 17 meters high. I wonder what the architect was thinking?
If you walk around Vogelsang Manor, you will reach a large park. Also from here an imposing staircase leads over a terrace into the interior of the house. A little bit I start dreaming at this sight. How it must have been to step down there and to stroll through the park. Yes, and when you meet the peacocks during the walk … it’s almost like a leap back in time.
A look inside the now partially renovated house shows that a lot has already been accomplished, but also that there is still a lot to do. A staircase leads to the upper floor with a large function room. I like the charm that this room exudes. Next to the unplastered masonry stands a nobly set table and large chandeliers hang from the ceiling.
Vogelsang Mansion hosts events that not only enrich the cultural life of the region, but also attract national attention. The private estate can only be visited by appointment, and the park is not open to the public. But there are numerous events throughout the year that allow you to take a look at Vogelsang Manor.
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