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 generally unaware of is that the castle park comprises not only the island, but also the surrounding waters, including the embankments, 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 complex in need of repair have been restored in recent years. The major refurbishment works carried out in recent years have played a decisive role in renewing or 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 per cent) is exceptionally high by national standards.
The foundation is therefore deeply grateful 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 the last seven years, more than €2.6 million has been invested in the restoration of the building structure, whilst a further €877,000 has been channelled into 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 many years and who make a significant contribution to its upkeep.