Früher: Villa Burmeister

Former names: Villa Burmeister, Villa Baltic

Today: Villa Baltik

Architecture: Elegant three-axis building with a columned porch that creates a portal-like impression. The central risalit forms a tower-like central complex flanked by two roof domes. A special feature of the house are the iron balcony railings instead of the usual wooden loggias. On the two upper floors, they echo the design of the garden fence. Two female figures adorn each side of the house, holding a book in their hands. These are so-called Sapientia figures (Sapientia lat. = personification of wisdom). The striking villa was not imitated in the further development of the promenade. Today, it forms a striking contrast to the neighboring houses.

Year of opening: 1888

History/owners until 1945: In 1888, Villa Baltik was opened as a first-class guesthouse by master builder Georg Burmeister from Putbus. In 1904/1905, his son Otto sold the villa to Mr. Wittmüss, who in turn sold it to Mr. Malchin in 1909. From 1911 onwards, Hermann Behrens was listed as the owner in the housing records, and he was also responsible for changing the name of the villa to “Baltic” in 1922. This was followed in 1924 by the spa owner Adalbert Kaba-Klein and later his brother-in-law Klein-Lemo. In the 1928 travel guide “Praktische Winke – Ostseebad Binz auf Rügen” (Practical Tips – Baltic Sea Resort Binz on Rügen), Villa Baltic was described as follows: “Villa Baltic directly on the beach promenade. First-class guesthouse. Rooms with balconies and sea views. First-class Viennese cuisine.“ In the early 1930s, the house was leased to the wife of Cavalry Captain Eggers. In 1945, the last year of the war, she and her family fled westward from the advancing Russian troops on one of the last KdF (”Kraft durch Freude“ or ”Strength Through Joy”) ships.

GDR era: After expropriation (Aktion Rose 1953), the house was handed over to the municipality as public property, which used it as a residential building until 1993.

After 1990: In 1994, Peter and Karin Löw bought the house and began renovating the villa. The first guests arrived in 1997.

Current use: Privately run apartment building with vacation apartments

Interesting facts/anecdotes: The villa was the third house to be built on the beach promenade and is the oldest surviving guesthouse on the beach promenade in Binz after Villa Undine.

Photos: Löw Collection, Boy Collection, Lutz Grünke, Binzer Bucht Tourismus/Christian Thiele