Bedheim castle was first mentioned in the year 1169 and was devastated and reconstructed several times in its long history. In the time of German Democratic Republic (GDR) it
slowly rotted. Now renovation is in charge of the family of Ruehle von Lilienstern. A non-profit association is supporting the renovation work and using part of the castle for its own activities. Since 1992, this association has been organizing workcamps. Year by year new working fields have been developed: a social therapeutic nursery was added, the association is running an organic garden and since 2007 the castle also runs a garden café and a small castle museum where you can admire the bones of prehistoric dinosaurs, once living in this region.
During the last 20 years, the castle became a sociocultural center for this remote region:
in the castle, there is a perfect room for celebrations; around the castle, one can find various
types of gardens and meadow for goose and goats. In addition, there are training courses
and cultural activities available. The aim of this project is to create an atmosphere where
people with or without disabilities may come, live and work together without any prejudice
against handicap, nationality or religion.
Inhabitants of the castle are looking forward to meet us, to work with us and hear our
suggestions and ideas and to create a peaceful world together!
Thuringia, Allemagne
Some basic knowledge of German or English is recommended. Please bring
rain and working clothes as well as swim suits, a sleeping bag, slippers, towels and warm
pullovers with you. You can also bring a map, pictures or special food items from your
country.
Terminal: Bedheim is 8km from the train station of Hildburghausen and 15km from
the train station of Bad Rodach. Nearest airports: Leipzig, Frankfurt/Main, Nuernberg
WORK:
Volunteers are invited to help in the care and preservation of this ancient monument. We will work 6 hours daily, to do painting and cleaning inside or to maintain the garden around the castle. In the garden, the work depends on the season, usually it is harvesting fruits, cutting trees, bushes and hedges. Encounters with kids and people of the region are foreseen.
STUDY :
Volunteers will enjoy the natural beauty of the environment. We can make excursions to places of cultural and historical interest (e.g. Weimar, the city of Goethe and the concentration camp Buchenwald). We can have discussions and lectures about German history, society, culture and politics (the German East- West border was only 9 km away from Bedheim).
There will be the possibility to encounter with young people of the region and getting to knowmore about the countries of the participants.
Bedheim castle offers a simple group accommodation in seminar house. There are beds with mattresses and pillows, but sleeping bag is needed. Meals will be prepared by the group (less meat but a lot of very good vegetables and fruits from the
nursery). Warm water is provided from solar collector.
Bedheim castle is located in the west of Thuringia, close to the Bavarian border.
Next bigger town is Coburg (28km away). Bedheim is surrounded by the extraordinary beautiful Franconian landscape.
