Villa Schaaffhausen – History and Development -Vips n Proms

Being situated next to the legendary Rhine-Romantic-Route between Roman founded Cologne with its majestic cathedral in the north and the famous Loreley rock in the south, close to the ruins of Drachenfels castle (dragon's rock) and other historic sites, Villa Schaaffhausen in the small spa town of Bad Honnef has a considerable history of its own.

The Villa is situated in a wonderful park which nowadays is partly protected by nature conservation laws and partly used for the organic production of fruit and vegetables which are served at the Villa. It can be considered a landmark of Bad Honnef due to its interesting building style – partly Tudor castle style - as well as to the outstanding personalities who dwelled here in centuries past rendering a very special reputation to the house.

Originally the property was created from two farms and vineyards. The upper estate belonged to a family von Hagen, the lower which later served as gardener's quarter to a family von Franken. In 1770 the procurator of the Cologne elector archbishop and imperial notary Peter Gottschalk Wasserfall purchased the two estates. In 1772 he had blasted the remnants of a massive tower, that probably had belonged to a castle or court.

In 1818 the estate came into the possession of the Cologne book merchant Lambert Bachem. For several years the Hannoverian colonel von Zulke had rented the farm. From 1825 to 1836 the Englishman William Dawson ( a son-in-law of the Duke of Willington, the victor of Waterloo) lived in that building. Also the Duke himself stayed there for a while in 1836. One day he was walking through the park, when all of a sudden a poorly dressed craftsman came up enthusiastically gripping his hand and stating firmly: "You are the Duke of Wellington!" They recognized each other immediately. It was the mason Nilles from Honnef, who had fought with the Duke in the battle of Waterloo on July 18, 1815. After more than 20 years they met again here in the Villa Schaaffhausen.

In 1841 the English naval captain Lewis Agassiz bought die Villa from the Lambert Bachem family for 10,966 Talers. In 1843/44 he erected the northern part of the main building in the so called Tudor style. On May 26, 1846, the estate came into the possession of Hubert Schaaffhausen from the city of Koblenz for 18,000 Talers. In 1847 this gentleman constructed a water conduit from Anna valley, which nowadays feeds the "Roman fountain", a high quality mineral water fountain of the Villa accessible for the public.

Hubert Schaaffhausen's son Hermann added the tower with the lion entrance to the northern side of the building. He was a distinguished academic teacher, physician, and explorer, whose name is connected to the discovery of the prehistoric "Neandertal man". He was very engaged for the public good and especially for his Rhenish home region.

Japanese Princes, Kings, Queens and other Celebrities

The years before the turn of the century were the most glamorous time of the building. The Villa's guest book shows the names of clergymen like the Canadian archbishop and the Cologne cardinal, military men from simple lieutenants to general field marshal Herwarth von Bittenfeld, and representatives of the high nobility such as the dukes Paul of Mecklenburg, Georg von Oldenburg, Günther von Schleswig-Holstein, Johann-Albrecht von Mecklenburg as well as numerous princes.

Among others the famous Berlin medical doctor Rudolf Virchow as well as the Japanese princes Atsemaro Konoye, Jaick Shinogawa, and Hideo Ikada enjoyed their days at the Villa. Rumania's Queen Elisabeth, born a princess of Wied, as well as King Oskar II. and Sweden's Queen Sophie used the Villa as residence.

The Crown Prince and the "Blue Room"

Also Crown Prince Wilhelm von Preußen (William of Prussia), the later emperor Wilhelm II. (1988 - 1914) was often a guest at the beautiful Villa during his time as a student in the nearby city of Bonn, where Privy Councillor Schaaffhausen offered him his big house with the beautiful garden as residence. He was given the "Blue Room", which was always reserved for him und stayed untouched for many years after. His bed at the foot end carried the crown made of bronze, the capital "W", and the date. Today the room is as the Villas Context.Scope.Library 

The Prince loved to spent his time in this rural vineyard area. He liked the Privy Councillor with whom he enjoyed long discussions as well as his sisters Maria and Elisabeth, and he loved to go for long walks in the Villa's well cared-for park and in the woods of the nearby hill range of the "Siebengebirge" (seven mountains). He was often seen walking by foot to the Anna Valley, a few steps ahead the gardener sweeping branches and twigs out of His Royal Highness's way. In 1876 he planted the "Emperor's Oak" which is 120 years old now (but still a "youngster" compared to the 300 years old copper beech dominating the park).

Worth to mention are the Emperor's manoeuvres in 1911, where uhlans, cuirassiers, and infantry staged combats in this area, while the nights were devoted to social events. A chestnut alley led to Villa Schaaffhausen. In a pavilion under its beautiful trees entertainment and concerts were organized.

The Queen Came by Tricycle

During the years 1892 – 1906 the Queen of Sweden frequently spent her vacation in Bad Honnef. She used to stay in private estates such as Villa Berg, Villa Brink, and of course, Villa Schaaffhausen, the home of Privy Councillor Schaaffhausen.

She always stayed here for several months, got to know the area and the people and felt very much at ease. Quite often people could see the prominent guest from close up, for example when driving through the streets on a tricycle. Or she would enjoy the concerts of the 24 men spa orchestra in the spa gardens accompanied by her chamberlain, Earl of Wrangel, and the court ladies Miss Buil and Miss Stjerncrona. In the early morning hours she could be watched riding on a mule through our idyllic lanes down to the Anna Valley.

"Hello Little Man…"

There are quite a few anecdotes demonstrating the Queen's sensitivity for the way of the simple people. She was a kind and unostentatious person who loved to talk to people. So one day little Johannes Kliesings, busy arranging his badly fitting rags aside a brook, all of a sudden noticed Her Majesty, the Queen, approaching on a mule. The 7 or 8 years old boy was fascinated by the beautiful mule, with its fine saddle and precious bridle. The mule was guided by a page.

"Hallo, little man, would you like to guide me?" the Queen asked. Little Johannes was totally confused and blushed. "Come on, guide my mule," the Queen said. So he adhered to her order, took the bridle and walked along. The mule with the Queen followed him.

With every step his pride was growing. The Honnefers took deep bows greeting the Queen and also gave admiring looks to the offspring of old Pitte Kiesings, who was tripping through the alleys of the town as proud as a peacock and finally guided the Queen safely back to the Villa. The Queen thanked him with a bag of sweets. Even as an old man Johannes remembered: "I felt like in heaven!"

The villa today

Since 1926 the estate belongs to the diocese of the Cologne archbishop. Immediately after World War II the house was used as an asylum for bombed out artists from Cologne. Later there were other prominent guests like Heinrich Lübke, former president of the Federal Republic of Germany (1959-1969), and his wife Wilhelmine. 

In the 1960s a children's home was established in the house and in the end the building stayed empty for a few years, waiting to be given new prospects 

In 1984 the Villa was taken over by Hannelore and Günther Fölsing who founded the present seminary and wellness center.

It took a lot of courage to undertake the renovation, but it was worth while and today Villa Schaaffhausen is a modern meeting point which does needs constant work, but with its remarkable architecture and its marvellous garden it offers a unique and relaxing atmosphere for our guests.