The Foundation

This entails a wide range of tasks and responsibilities, including covering all costs associated with the building, its running and the upkeep of the park. What the public is often unaware of is that the castle park comprises not only the island, but also the surrounding waters and their banks, as well as the two large open meadows to the south of the castle.

Thanks to numerous donors and the Friends’ Association, almost all the buildings in the museum area in need of repair have been restored in recent years. The major renovation works of recent years have played a decisive role in renewing and upgrading the entire technical infrastructure, which has also had a positive impact on energy consumption.

An institution of this size with a cultural mandate cannot operate on a self-financing basis, even though the Foundation’s cost-coverage ratio (60–70%) is exceptionally high by national standards.
The Foundation is therefore indebted to all those who have shown a long-standing commitment to the castle and its restoration, providing substantial financial support over the years. These include, in particular: the Federal Government, the State of Schleswig-Holstein, the District of Stormarn, the Town of Ahrensburg, the Sparkasse Holstein Foundation and the Friends’ Association. In total, over €2.6 million has been invested in the restoration of the building fabric over the last seven years, with a further €877,000 going towards the restoration of the park and its infrastructure.

We would also like to thank all the private donors, companies and volunteers who have been associated with the castle for years and make a significant contribution to its upkeep.