Früher: Villa Cäcilie

Former names: Villa Agricola, Villa Cäcilie, Goethe House

Today: Hotel Binzer Hof

Architecture: In the book “Pommersche Bäderarchitektur” (Pomeranian Spa Architecture) by Wolfgang Schneider & Torsten Seegert, the ‘Cäcilie’ house (later also known as the “Goethe House”) located directly at the crossroads is described as follows: … The main building is a three-story structure with a simple attic balustrade, … The two sides of the building that have direct access to the street have been fitted with open wooden loggias, with the design featuring the same stylistic elements in different forms … The round tower, which emphasizes the corner location, is glazed and highlights the character of a fortress. … This building was also fundamentally renovated in the 1990s. In addition to the aforementioned connection to the neighboring Haus Brunhilde building, it is particularly noteworthy that the loggias on the side facing Goethestraße have been removed without replacement. The entrance has been preserved, but now serves as access to the restaurant; the main entrance to the hotel complex is now located in the intermediate building on Lottumstrasse …

Year of construction: Around 1904

History/owners until 1945: Today’s Hotel Binzer Hof consists of two buildings, Villa Cäcilie (later also known as Goethe House) and Haus Brunhilde.

Until 1903, local maps show undeveloped land at this location. The 1904 Binz-Führer town map showed a house on the corner lot of Lottumstrasse and Goethestraße. A year later, the Villa Agricola (later Villa Cäcilie) was listed in the housing directory with Hilgendorf as the owner.

Initially, both lodgings had the same owner family, but this changed later. The 1909 Binz guide stated the following: Villa “Cäcilie” Owner W. Hilgendorf Lottumstraße Quiet location in the immediate vicinity of the beach and pine forest, opposite the baths, recommends its well-appointed and contemporary rooms with verandas and sea views, as well as apartments with kitchens.

And for the neighboring building: Villa “Brunhilde” Lottum-Straße No. 8, directly on the forest, opposite the men’s and family baths. Modern furnishings, all rooms with balconies. Individual rooms and entire apartments with and without kitchens. Good beds. Manager: Dora Rode. Owner: Fritz Hilgendorf

From around 1920, Paul Schmidt was named as the owner of Villa Cäcilie. In 1927, he decided to rename the villa Haus Goethe (1928 “Praktische Winke – Ostseebad Binz auf Rügen”: Haus Goethe formerly Haus Cecilie, owner Paul Schmidt, telephone 260. Popular, well-recommended guesthouse, 1/4 minute from the beach and located directly on the forest. Large, sunny, comfortable, and modern rooms with verandas at moderate prices. First-class catering! Advantageous pension rates for longer stays).

GDR era: After 1945, the Goethe House was initially used as a school. In 1953, the school was moved to the Haus Karin on Bahnhofstraße, which had been specially converted for this purpose. After being decommissioned as a school building, the Villa Brunhilde and the Goethe House were sold one after the other, structurally connected and used as a company holiday home “Haus der DSF” by VEB Spezialbau Potsdam.

After 1990: After 1990, the Krönert family acquired the two lodging houses. Since its opening on May 5, 1991, they have run it as a hotel under the name “Binzer Hof.” In the 1992 room catalog FVV Binz und Umgebung e.V., an advertisement stated: Hotel Restaurant Binzer Hof, 2337 Binz/Rügen, W.-Pieck-Str. 15, telephone 2362, fax: 2382

Current use: Family-run hotel with restaurant

Interesting facts/anecdotes: The owner of Villa Cäcilie, Paul Schmidt, already had a clever idea at the time to fill his house with guests in the early and late seasons. The 1925 travel guide “Praktische Winke – Ostseebad Binz auf Rügen” (Practical Tips – Baltic Sea Resort Binz on Rügen) stated: Haus Cecilie. Owner: Paul Schmidt. Highly recommended hotel in a quiet location, close to the forest and beach. Excellent food. Comfortable rooms. Pre- and post-season cooking courses for young ladies of higher social standing.

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

Text: Klaus Boy, Binzer Bucht Tourismus