Profile information
Host rating
100 %
Last replied
13 Jun 2025
Reply rate
100.0 %
Usually responds within 9 days
Feedback
33
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Badges (3)
Details
Description
Hallo Leute!
An archeologist, a now-retired elementary teacher, and a theater enthusiast combined their passions and created a non-profit in 2007. They revived the abandoned castle with art, theater, and musical performances while simultaneously renovating the castle and reshaping the surrounding grounds.
This place is ideal for those who want to improve their German since it is the main language spoken here and an important aspect of the experience: being able to communicate and connect. Everyone tries their best to translate into English when needed, but a basic German language knowledge is needed/beneficial.
We prefer couples or traveling friends in their mid-20s or older, for it is a place with a loose structure that requires self-sufficiency and independent work.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Charity Work
Language practice
Help with Eco Projects
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
General Maintenance
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
You will learn about different crafts and regional plants and experience the joy of working together with other people. Various artists will visit or perform, from music to theater or art exhibitions. What you take away from this experience also depends on your own curiosity. Feel free to ask lots of questions. We often spend long evenings at the dinner table, telling each other stories and laughing a lot.
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Du wirst etwas über verschiedene Handwerkskünste und regionale Pflanzen lernen und erfährst die Freude am gemeinsamen Arbeiten mit anderen Menschen. Es werden verschiedene Künstler zu Besuch kommen oder auftreten, von Musik zu Theater oder Kunstausstellungen. Was du aus dieser Erfahrung mitnimmst, hängt auch von deiner eigenen Neugierde ab. Frag gerne viele Fragen. Wir verbringen of lange Abende am Esstisch, erzählen uns Geschichten und lachen viel.
Help
We are currently looking for ambitious and curious people who enjoy gardening and are interested in medicinal herbs. We need help with weeding and planting our garden, which consists of a labyrinth laid out according to historical plans from the 16th century. We also have a large vegetable section and a variety of roses.
One of our castle members is very knowledgeable about medicinal herbs and runs tours and workshops from May to October - here we need your support in setting up and maintaining the garden. There are also other regular volunteers who are happy to share their knowledge of plants with you.
Depending on the schedule of our projects and your interests, there may be an opportunity to help out on site.
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Derzeit suchen wir ambitionierte und neugierige Menschen, die Freude an der Gartenarbeit und Interesse an Heilkräutern haben. Wir brauchen Unterstützung beim Unkrautjäten und bei der Bepflanzung unseres Gartens, der nach historischen Plänen aus dem 16. Jahrhundert angelegtes Labyrinth besteht. Wir haben auch eine große Gemüseabteilung und eine Vielfalt von Rosen.
Eines unserer Schlossmitglieder kennt sich sehr gut mit Heilkräutern aus und führt von Mai bis Oktober Führungen und Workshops durch - hier brauchen wir eure Unterstützung beim Anlegen und Pflegen des Gartens. Es gibt auch andere regelmäßige Freiwillige, die sich freuen, ihr Wissen über Pflanzen mit euch zu teilen.
Je nach dem Zeitplan unserer Projekte und euren Interessen gibt es vielleicht die Möglichkeit, auf der Baustelle mitzuhelfen.
Languages spoken
German: Fluent
English: Beginner
Accommodation
**Minimum stay one/two weeks**
You will be accommodated in one of the rooms in the castle. Depending on when you come, you will have your own room or will have to share it with other volunteers. It is a castle that is currently being renovated and has 3 cats living in it. If you are allergic to dust and/or cats, this is NOT the place for you.
We cook for each other to have a nice evening together. Most evenings, we cook a vegetarian alternative; however, vegan and gluten-free diets are difficult to accommodate. We cook for a large group and have found in the past that it is difficult to prepare separate meals for each dietary preference (besides vegetarians), and it is not financially viable for us; also, we eat a lot of cheese and bread.
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**Mindestaufenthalt ein/zwei Wochen**
Du wirst in einem der Zimmer im Schloss untergebracht. Je nachdem, wann du zu uns kommst, wirst du ein eigenes Zimmer haben oder müssen es mit anderen Freiwilligen teilen. Es ist ein Schloss, das gerade renoviert wird, und in dem 3 Katzen leben. Wenn du allergisch auf Staub und/oder Katzen reagierst, ist dies NICHT der richtige Ort für dich.
Wir kochen füreinander, um einen schönen Abend zusammen zu verbringen. An den meisten Abenden kochen wir eine vegetarische Alternative; vegane und glutenfreie Ernährung ist jedoch schwierig zu berücksichtigen. Wir kochen für eine große Gruppe und haben in der Vergangenheit festgestellt, dass es schwierig ist, separate Mahlzeiten zuzubereiten, und dass dies für uns finanziell nicht tragbar ist; außerdem essen wir viel Käse und Brot.
What else ...
The nearest airport is Halle/Leipzig or Berlin; from there you can reach us by train. The train station is 7 km from our village but there will always be someone there to pick you up :-)
There are some bikes available at the castle so you can quickly have a look around yourself. The village itself doesn't have much to offer, it's small but nice to walk around and also has a river running along it.
In your free time you can enjoy yourself at the castle (there is always something going on there) or you can take the time to go on a trip to some of the many interesting places and sights in the area - some trips are planned together as a group, depending on the day and number of volunteers.
In this area of Thuringia there are many old castle ruins and beautiful hills with hiking trails. In a nearby village you can also go swimming. If you need a change from village life, the state capital Erfurt can be reached in an hour by train.
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Der nächste Flughafen ist Halle/Leipzig oder Berlin; von dort aus kannst du uns mit dem Zug erreichen. Der Bahnhof ist 7 km von unserem Dorf entfernt aber es wird immer jemand da sein, der dich abholt :-)
Am Schloss stehen einige Fahrräder zur Verfügung, so dass du dich schnell selbst umschauen kannst. Das Dorf selbst hat nicht viel zu bieten, es ist klein, aber nett zum Spazierengehen und hat auch einen Fluss, der entlang fließt.
In deiner Freizeit kannst du dich auf der Burg amüsieren (dort ist immer etwas los) oder du kannst dir die Zeit nehmen, um einen Ausflug zu einigen der vielen interessanten Orte und Sehenswürdigkeiten in der Umgebung zu machen - einige Ausflüge werden gemeinsam als Gruppe geplant, je nach Tag und Anzahl der Freiwilligen.
In dieser Gegend Thüringens gibt es viele alte Burgruinen und schöne Hügel mit Wanderwegen. In einem nahe gelegenen Dorf kann man auch baden gehen. Wer eine Abwechslung vom Dorfleben braucht, erreicht die Landeshauptstadt Erfurt in einer Stunde mit dem Zug.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Space for parking camper vans
This host can provide space for campervans.
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
Feedback (22)
I spent most of my time weeding and loved helping out Bea, who oversees the garden and… read more
We can recommend her to other hosts provided they own a vacuum cleaner, which the poor woman will need because of her dust… read more
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I spent most of my time weeding and loved helping out Bea, who oversees the garden and… read more
We can recommend her to other hosts provided they own a vacuum cleaner, which the poor woman will need because of her dust… read more
First of all; Thanks! Thanks for the hospitality, great food, all the drinks we had and being part of this "team" with so many interesting people. We've laughed, discussed, worked hard, singing "du" from "Peter Maffay" but most of all; we spend so many valuable time together… read more
Ausserdem war Bob sehr umsichtig fuer das Leben im Schloss. Er half… read more
When I tell you these are some of the most welcoming, lovely and generous people I have ever met, I am not lying; from day one I felt safe and at ease. It's definitely a bonus if you know German, but don't… read more
The castle has such a magical mysterious feeling to it, the halls, clocktower,… read more
Everybody in the castle is so kind and welcoming from the very first second. I worked in the garden which is beautiful and meditative work. In the garden you can decide what time you begin, as long as you get the work done by… read more
My jobs consisted on gardening, helping in the construction site and helping organize the stage of a show that took place at the castle.
The castle is very impressive and it is a sight to see (and… read more
Both times he has been a superb helper, who took a keen interest in the various projects we're working on. Clément's… read more
Beside people living in the castle, there are lots of people coming from the village so it's very nice for cultural exchange !
There are lots of things to do there and you'll be free to work on what you want and when you want, you must feel quite at ease with that.… read more
You know, the summercamp and this place have been enriched by all of you too. The people like you make moments like those of the camp unforgetable!
Just spread the word and feel welcome again at any time you wish!
Take care and have a good time!
We enjoyed the time you spent with us and thanks for your open-hearted, optimistic and creative participation!
Andreas is a very social and very openminded person. You can have a lot of fun together but also find some deep discussions about good and the world. And even hard work in the summerheat was fun together.… read more
