The Rammenau Manor looks back on over 300 years of history. As a representative country estate for the nobility, it was also a functioning agricultural business. The noble owners and their preferred styles in the castle and park changed over time, until the final break came with the end of the war. Today, ‘Schloss Rammenau’ is a museum and popular tourist destination. We have been commissioned with the new concept and redesign of the permanent exhibition in the castle as well as the creative integration of the farmyard and park.
Historical everyday scenes in peep box stages
The manor and farmyard tell the story of their architectural evolution. However, the perspective of the people who once lived and worked here – with their concerns, passions, and ideas – has been missing until now. Through peep box stages and dioramas inspired by Baroque designs, the former inhabitants now share their stories. Visitors can immerse themselves in these miniature everyday scenes and participate interactively. They can illuminate figures with a flashlight to make them speak or integrate themselves into the scene with the help of a smartphone photo und a mirror. With a media telescope, visitors can explore the chinoiserie wallpaper, and in the evening, they can accompany the count to bed.
The stages and dioramas were intentionally designed with a delicate and minimalist approach. They allow the historical features to speak for themselves while visually incorporating their design language. The stage graphics draw inspiration from the ornaments and colors of the various room designs. The finely crafted furniture minimizes material use and is modularly adaptable – exemplifying the principles of a sustainable permanent exhibition.
Two Worlds at Rammenau Estate
Not only nobles lived in the castle. The estate also served as a workplace for servants and numerous subjects from the linen-weaving village of Rammenau. Beer was brewed here, merino sheep specially shipped from Spain were bred and food was cultivated. In the future, the ‘Meierhof’ will highlight the world of the estate workers. The former cow barn, the servants’ kitchen and the horse stable will showcase the agricultural use of the estate and the hard everyday work of the subjects. The exhibit ‘Schlossdorf’ will illustrate the close intertwining between the village of Rammenau and the manor estate.
In the 'Meierhof', we immerse ourselves in the hard working world of the estate servants.
The exhibit 'Schlossdorf' tells of the close connection between the castle and the village of Rammenau in short audio pieces. The villagers were obliged to drink only the castle beer.
The cavalier's house, located in the forecourt directly in front of the castle was once the horse stable. The valuable animals had to be cared for here.
In the park, we can follow a trail of contemporary witnesses at various stations. Using our smartphones, we discover life and everyday life in the manor after 1945.
The “Schlösserland erleben” app provides additional exciting background information about the palace park and courtyard.
Photographs: studio klv, Staatliche Schlösser, Burgen und Gärten Sachsen gemeinnützige GmbH
