Previous names: The name “Villa Sirene” has been retained since the building opened.

Architecture: From the book “Landhäuser & Villen am Meer – Rügen & Hiddensee” (Barbara Finke and Beatrice Pippia): Villa Sirene opened as a guesthouse in the 1912 bathing season, when construction activity in Binz had already slowed considerably. The elegant building, designed with Italian Neo-Renaissance stylistic elements, closed the last gap in the southeastern section of the beach promenade. The attic balustrade crowning the building is striking, giving it the appearance of a Roman city palace. Below the attic are stucco reliefs depicting sailboats, and the figure of a siren is positioned on the roof, linking the building to its location.

Year of construction: Around 1912

History/owners until 1945: Around 1912, Villa Sirene was built in a prominent location directly on the beach promenade. In the following years, a Mr. H. Meier was named as the owner. He recommended the first-class house in 1925 as follows: … with a magnificent view of the sea and the high forest. Comfortable furnishings. Heated rooms. Electric light. Dining room. Pleasant garden. Servants at the train station and steamboat. …

The “Sirene” remained in family ownership for several years. In 1935, the widow B. Meier ran the house and highlighted the following in the Binz travel guide “Praktische Winke” (Practical Tips): … Very well-appointed rooms with loggias and running hot and cold water. Renowned good cuisine, modern dining room, cozy reception and reading room with writing room. Sunny, sheltered garden. Garage and parking, early and late season discounts.

GDR era: During the GDR era, Villa Sirene was used as a residential building, among other things.

After 1990: After 1990, the building underwent extensive renovation. Vacation homes and apartments were created.

Current use: Vacation homes and apartments

Interesting facts/anecdotes: In Binz, there is an anecdote about how the house got its name. Originally, it was to be called Poseidon, but the builder’s wife wanted to name the villa Sirene. So the figure of the muscular Poseidon was transformed into a siren by adding feminine curves. In fact, the figure appears to be more of a hybrid of Poseidon with a trident and a siren with a fish tail (from the book “Landhäuser & Villen am Meer – Rügen & Hiddensee” by Barbara Finke and Beatrice Pippia).

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