Is there a connection between the villa and art history?

Yes, the painter Lyonel Feininger spent his summer vacations on Usedom between 1909 and 1912 and made numerous sketches during this time – including of the neighboring Villa Oppenheim. His traces on the island can be followed today on the Feininger cycle path, which starts at the waterfront promenade.

What historical stages has the villa gone through?

After its construction in 1908, the villa initially served as a family residence. When the National Socialists came to power, the Bleichröder family left Germany. The building was then used as an air force recreation center, later as a sanatorium for the Soviet army and as an FDGB vacation resort. After reunification, the building was renovated in line with its listed status and has been run as a hotel since the late 1990s.

What is the sculpture 'Die Bogenspannerin' all about?

The bronze sculpture in the villa’s garden was created by sculptor Ferdinand Lepcke and has stood there as the property’s landmark since around 1910. Due to the arch, it was often mistakenly identified as Diana, the goddess of hunting – hence the hotel’s name “Hotel Diana” for a time.

When was Villa Bleichröder built and by whom?

The neo-baroque villa was built in 1908 as the summer residence of the Jewish Bleichröder banking family. Around 1900, Heringsdorf was a popular summer residence for Berlin’s upper class and was also known as the “Nice of the Baltic”.

History

The neo-baroque villa was built in 1908 as the summer residence of the Jewish Bleichröder banking family. Around 1900, Heringsdorf was known as the “Nice of the Baltic” and was a hotspot for Berlin’s elite. The listed Villa Bleichröder is one of the most representative buildings on the waterfront promenade in Heringsdorf. Its landmark is the park-like garden with the sculpture “Die Bogenspannerin”. After an eventful history, the villa has been run as a hotel garni since the late 1990s.

THE VILLA
Bleichröder
from then to now

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1908

Hans von Bleichröder, son of the renowned banker Gerson von Bleichröder, had the villa built in 1908 in the style of spa architecture. Gerson von Bleichröder was a financial advisor to Chancellor Otto von Bismarck and one of the richest Berliners at the end of the 19th century.

1910 - The bow tightener

The sculptor Ferdinand Lepcke created the sculpture "Die Bogenspannerin", a bronze cast of which has adorned the garden as a symbol of the villa since around 1910. Because of the bow, she was often mistakenly identified as Diana, the goddess of the hunt.

Heringsdorf around 1900

Around 1900, Heringsdorf was known as the "Nice of the Baltic" or the "suburb of Berlin". Anyone who was anyone spent the summer here. Well-known merchants and intellectuals built villas in Heringsdorf. Kaiser Wilhelm II visited Heringsdorf several times between 1895 and 1914, which explains the still recognizable stately character of Heringsdorf's villa architecture, especially on the waterfront promenade.

Lyonel Feininger

Lyonel Feininger spent his summer vacations on Usedom from 1909 to 1912. During this time, he created numerous sketches and studies for his works - including of the neighboring Villa Oppenheim. Feininger's work on the island is presented in an exciting way on the Feininger cycle path, simply start at the promenade and follow the signs.

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1933

When the National Socialists came to power, the Bleichröder family left Germany. Until 1945, the villa was used as a convalescent home for the Luftwaffe, among other things.

From 1950

The villa was initially used as a convalescent sanatorium for members of the Soviet army and then as a vacation resort for the FDGB (Free German Trade Union Federation); trade union leader Harry Tisch was a regular visitor to the villa.

From 1990

After reunification, the villa was taken over by a Hamburg businessman and run as the "Hotel Diana".

2000

At the end of the 1990s, two new villas with vacation apartments were built on the site and the historic villa was renovated in keeping with its listed status. The apartments and hotel are known as the Bleichröder Residence.

2023

Villa Bleichröder - Boutique Hotel Usedom.
The family entrepreneurs Jaeschke, who already run the historic Boutique Hotel Oderberger in Berlin, take over Villa Bleichröder.

History