Previous names: The name “Villa Quisisana” has been retained since the hotel opened.

Architecture: In the book “Pommersche Bäderarchitektur” (Pomeranian Spa Architecture) by Wolfgang Schneider and Torsten Seegert, the building is described as follows: “Compared to the Klünder, Sirene, and Glückspilz houses in particular, this house stands out somewhat from the ensemble, as the upper floor is constructed entirely of half-timbered framework. This half-timbered framework is plastered between the wooden parts with elements that emphasize its shape. In terms of its floor plan, the building follows the more common T-shaped design with a gabled porch on the sea side.”

Year of construction: 1890

History/owners until 1945: Villa Quisisana was built in 1890 by Dr. jur. Victor Adolph Wilhelm v. Koerber (1851-1918) and his wife Ida Luise, née v. Lücken (1858-1930).

The name of the villa loosely translates as: Where you become healthy or also: Where you feel good.

After their successful marriage in Kassel in 1880, the couple soon moved to Konitz in West Prussia, where Dr. von Koerber worked as a district administrator for several years. During this time, their only daughter, Irmgard Klara Luise Hedwig Alexandra, was born in 1883, followed by their older son, Nordewin Adolf Johannes Marius Franz, in 1885.

The young couple was very popular and respected everywhere, and their villa was a popular social gathering place for family members, friends, and acquaintances. The lively interest in the villa may also have had something to do with the social position held by Dr. Victor v. Koerber.

In 1887, he took over the district administrator’s post in Bergen on Rügen, which he held until 1896.

The young couple later described their time in Bergen as “the best” of their lives. Their last child, Adolf Victor Nordewin Friedrich Wilhelm, was also born here in 1891.

When Dr. v. Koerber was awarded the Order of the Red Eagle for his work as a “conscientious civil servant,” he was not at all pleased. He did not like to “stand out” and always remained a modest, simple man. People jokingly called him the “King of Rügen.”

He was wholeheartedly devoted to his island of Rügen and its development. During his time there, Sassnitz, Sassnitz Harbor, and the Binz narrow-gauge railway were built. In 1929, Villa Quisisana was renovated. Due to the difficult economic conditions of the time, her daughter Irmgard, who had remained unmarried throughout her life, was forced to earn a living for herself and her mother by taking in boarding guests. This difficult task was made even more challenging by her mother’s illness. The steady deterioration of her mother’s health ultimately led to her death in 1930.

During these already difficult days, Irmgard’s distant cousin and friend Brigitte Reichenau once again proved herself to be a comforting support and loyal colleague at her side in the management and running of the guest villa. Respected and honored by all family members, she was affectionately called “our Aunt Brigitte.” In a 1924 advertising brochure about the Baltic Sea resort of Binz published by the Binz spa management, the villa was advertised with the following text: “Haus Quisisana – Directly on the beach promenade, near the landing stage and family baths. Small, elegant, Christian house with all mod cons. Almost all rooms with sea view, in every price range. 1 kitchen. Stoves in the house.”

Under the management of Irmgard v. Koerber and the energetic support of her friend Brigitte Reichenau, Villa Quisisana acquired an excellent reputation and soon enjoyed great popularity with guests. For years, the villa was a place of unadulterated joy and well-being. That changed abruptly as World War II drew to a close. Huge streams of refugees poured across the island of Rügen, desperately seeking shelter after being expelled from the eastern territories of Germany.

Villa Quisisana was overflowing with people. Their own family members with their children, friends, acquaintances, strangers.

The humanitarian aid provided by Irmgard v. Koerber and Brigitte Reichenau during this time was later acknowledged with deep gratitude and the highest appreciation by those who received this help. Living conditions in the post-war years deteriorated rapidly and became catastrophic under the GDR regime. They left deep scars on people and homes. Irmgard von Koerber died in 1949 and was buried in the Binz cemetery.

GDR period: According to her will, Villa Quisisana was inherited by her eldest nephew, Dr. agr. Ernst Nordewin von Diest-Koerber, after Irmgard von Koerber’s death in 1949. He transferred the house to his eldest niece, Heike Eggert, née Kleinschmidt, whose godmother was also the former owner, Irmgard von Koerber.

After 1990: In 1996, Villa Quisisana was sold to its current owner, a master craftsman based in Bonn, and his wife. With a great deal of personal commitment and love for the property, he restored the listed building, which was no longer habitable due to serious structural defects, to its current beauty. Villa Quisisana was reopened on June 1, 1998.

Current use: Privately run beach villa with vacation apartments

Interesting facts/anecdotes: It is said that it was thanks to Ida Luise von Koerber’s energy and determination that the construction of a church in Binz was realized.

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

Text: Villa Quisisana, Schumacher family