Whether designed in the Classical, Baroque, or Renaissance style, the architecture of the castles near Berlin never ceases to impress . On our excursions, we usually discover a specific architectural style and admire the sprawling castle parks, often inspired by the English country estate style. But the castle we’d like to introduce to you today combines two architectural worlds in one. For it is neither purely Neoclassical nor exclusively Neo-Baroque. As a so-called “double castle ,” Karow Castle near Plau am See combines both styles in an extraordinary way.
Schloss Karow is one of those lesser-known castles in northern Germany that looks almost like something out of a movie. Tucked away among lakes, forests, and old manor houses in the Mecklenburg Lake District , the place exudes a special atmosphere. It is precisely this blend of aristocratic tranquility, a slightly morbid echo of the GDR era, and romantic nature that makes Schloss Karow so unique today.
The estate’s origins date back to the 13th century. The so-called “old castle” as we know it today was built toward the end of the 18th century, around 1789 or 1800. At the beginning of the 20th century, between 1903 and 1907, the complex was expanded with a monumental Neo-Baroque extension. The entire estate once comprised around 3,132 hectares of land, making it one of the largest estates in the region.
What makes it particularly extraordinary is that Karow Castle is actually a so-called “double castle.” On the grounds, two architecturally distinct mansions stand side by side. On one side is the Classicist building from the late 18th century; on the other, the imposing Neo-Baroque extension from the Imperial era. This combination of two architectural styles separated by nearly 200 years is considered virtually unique in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania.
The history behind the castle is also remarkable. In 1898, the Berlin merchant Johannes Schlutius purchased the estate and developed it into a vast estate complex. For the expansion, he even hired Ernst Eberhard von Ihne, the court architect of Kaiser Wilhelm II. Like many East German castles, Karow Castle also looks back on an eventful past . During World War II, the building served, among other things, as housing for evacuated schoolchildren from Rostock. Afterward, it was used as a military hospital, refugee shelter, school, residential space, and later also as a training center during the GDR era .
Today, Karow Castle has 13 guest rooms and can accommodate about 38 overnight guests. For weddings and events, depending on the concept, it can host approximately 40 to 100 people. In total, there are 28 regular beds as well as additional sleeping arrangements.
