Historic estate near Greifswald - restoration project

The village of Mesekenhagen is located on the northwestern outskirts of Greifswald, right on the shores of the Greifswalder Bodden, opposite the islands of Riems and Koos. First mentioned in historical records in the early 14th century under the name "Mesekenhaghen," the village is thought to have been a German settlement clearing. 

After the Thirty Years' War, from 1648 to 1815, Mesekenhagen belonged to Swedish Pomerania. From 1720, it was part of the Grimmen district. Following the Congress of Vienna in 1815, Vorpommern became part of Prussia, and Mesekenhagen remained within the Grimmen district of the Stralsund government until 1945. 

The first documented owner was Johann von Slawekestorpe in 1325. However, in 1397, parts of the village were transferred to the city of Greifswald by the Pomeranian Duke. In the 17th century, the estate – along with the larger neighboring estate of Neuenkirchen – was given to the University of Greifswald for use. The roughly 100-hectare university estate of Mesekenhagen remained in their ownership until 1939, when it was sold to a private tenant. 

During the GDR period, the estate was part of a collective farm (LPG). The former tenant house was initially inhabited by displaced persons and later used as a village school.

In 2017, the current owners acquired the former tenant house along with about 10 hectares of land and began a comprehensive renovation of the dilapidated building. The single-story, nine-part building with a gabled roof and partial basement was completely gutted, and the timber framing was thoroughly restored or largely replaced. As part of the planned residential use, some interior walls were rebuilt. Construction work paused in 2023, and the house is currently in its shell state. A valid building permit for conversion into residential and vacation properties is in place. All necessary utilities (electricity, water, sewage) are already connected.

The property includes parts of the historic estate park, featuring three impressive old plane trees, as well as pasture and fallow land. Currently, the pastures are used by a flock of sheep. About 300 meters east of the house are two large, open halls (each 75 x 25 m), whose roofs are equipped with photovoltaic systems. If no agricultural use is planned, these halls could serve as winter storage for boats – the marinas of Greifswald are nearby.