History, owner, and value?

The Plattenburg

30.7.2025

Plattenburg is the oldest preserved water castle in northern Germany, first mentioned in documents in 1319. It is located in the Prignitz district of Brandenburg and served as the summer residence of the bishops of the Diocese of Havelberg in the Middle Ages. The complex is surrounded by ramparts and double moats, and is an important cultural monument in the region.

From 1552 until its expropriation in 1945, Plattenburg was owned by the von Saldern noble family. After World War II, the family was dispossessed, and the castle was used to house refugees and later served as a holiday camp for the German Reichsbahn. Extensive restoration work began in the 1990s.

Current Ownership of Plattenburg

Today, the entire castle complex is owned by the municipality of Plattenburg. After reunification, ownership—which had been spread across various public entities (Perleberg district, Treuhand agency, Federal Railway, Kletzke municipality)—was consolidated and transferred to the municipality of Plattenburg. As early as 1996, the Friends’ Association and the municipality succeeded in bringing together all shares, enabling the preservation and usage of the historic site.

The von Saldern family is therefore no longer the owner, though descendants remain involved through the Friends’ Association, supporting the preservation of the castle.

Current Use and Significance

Today, Plattenburg serves cultural and tourism purposes during the beautiful seasons:

• Museum with exhibitions on architectural and social history.
• Concerts, festivals, and markets in the historic castle setting.
• Weddings and events in an exceptional atmosphere.
• Delicacies in the castle café.

The Value of Plattenburg

There is no specific market value for Plattenburg, since it is municipally owned and not for sale. Comparable values are difficult to determine, especially since historic castles are protected landmarks and subject to special requirements for use and maintenance.

Within the industry, large, restored castles in rural Germany are sometimes valued at several million euros, depending on their condition, extent of renovation, heritage protection, and usage potential.

Have you ever been to Plattenburg? Where else should we bring our camera? Mention and tag us—links welcome. 😊