Villa Kometh

Villa Kometh

Former house names: Villa Kometh, Haus Stranddistel

Today: Villa Stranddistel

Architecture: In the book “Pommersche Bäderarchitektur” by Wolfgang Schneider & Torsten Seegert, the house is described as follows: … it is a three-storey solid construction with numerous open loggia constructions. The basic structure is supplemented by a total of three loggias arranged at right angles to each other, which are laid out in five axes on the promenade, in seven axes on the south side and in three axes on the north side. The corner risalit, which also connects the loggia on the promenade side with the loggia on the south side of the building, is characterized by loosening elements on the plaster facade: The ground floor is visually set apart from the other floors by a surrounding band. The windows are characterized by different types of frames on each floor. The roof shape follows the familiar helmet shape of other buildings, with a weather vane placed on a cantilevered beam construction. …

Built: Probably around 1901

History/owners until 1945: The house was probably built around 1901 and named after its owner, Miss Anna Kometh. In the 1905 Binz guide, Miss Kometh offered 29 rooms and a kitchen in her villa. At a later date, the owner changed and thus the name of the villa changed to “Villa Stranddistel”. In the 1931 Binz guide “Praktische Winke”, the villa was described as follows: House Stranddistel, formerly Kometh, beach promenade, telephone 458. Long-established guest house under new management. Quiet location, close to the forest, baths, tennis courts. Large, sunny rooms with balcony, unobstructed sea view. Appropriately furnished, large good beds, excellent food. Reduced prices in the off-season. Owner: Hildegard Koepke.

GDR era: In the summer of 1950, the house was listed in the accommodation directory “Ostseebad Binz Insel Rügen” as follows: Fremdenheim Stranddistel, owned by Podella, 30 beds. Later, it was a residential building, among other things.

Apparently during the GDR era, the striking tower top disappeared. And a flat extension was built in front of the building, where a general store was located (photo: early 1990s – Grit Juhr’s general store with food, household chemicals, postcards, spirits and toys).

After 1990: After 1990, the building was extensively renovated. The villa was given back its special tower top, and holiday apartments were created.

Present use: holiday apartments

Worth knowing/anecdotes: Advertisements from the 1930s often advertised the villa’s special location, such as “quiet location on the high forest”, “unobstructed lake view” and “morning sun”.

Photos: Binzer Bucht Tourismus collection, Lutz Grünke, Binzer Bucht Tourismus/Christian Thiele

Text: Binzer Bucht Tourismus