The Heiligenberg Jugenheim Foundation.
For many years Heiligenberg Castle lay dormant. It was given the kiss of life and awoke when the Heiligenberg Jugenheim Foundation was founded giving the aim of restoring the buildings and the landscaped park in which the castle is nestled in a manner befitting such a listed building and making it accessible to the public. Its charter pledges the promotion of the arts and understanding between nations.
The Foundation has already taken the many steps in this direction and together with various regional authorities has restored several outbuildings including the so-called Russian House which now accommodates the documentation and visitor’s centre.
The Beginnings
The Heiligenberg Jugenheim Foundation was established in July 2007 by a private benefactor, a legal advisor, the Tourist and Town Improvement Society of Jugenheim (Verkehrs- und Verschönerungsverein Jugenheim a.d. Bergstraße 1863 e.V.) and the German Foundation for the Preservation of Monuments (Deutsche Stiftung Denkmalschutz) as trustee. Supportive were the Hessian Real Estate Management (Hessisches Immobilienmanagement), the Hessian Forestry Commission (Hessenforst) as well as the Protestant Church in Hesse and Nassau.
On 14th March 2012, the original foundation was transformed into a foundation of legal capacity under civil law and the scrutiny of the Darmstadt Regional Council. The Foundation is recognised as a non-profit organisation.
The Mission
In accordance with the foundation statutes its mission is to promote the preservation of this historical monument, the arts and culture and, reflecting on the fascinating history of Heiligenberg, to promote understanding between nations, notably Eastern Europe (Russia and Bulgaria) and the United Kingdom, with the aim to allowing access by the general public.
These goals are to be achieved through the restoration and maintenance of the buildings and the park in unison and cooperation with various regional authorities allowing general public access to a listed monument. Amongst others, a small documentation and visitor’s information centre focussed on the history of the House of Battenberg has already been well established.
The castle offers ample possibilities for cultural events, not only for the promotion of the arts and artists, but also for private festivities. Refreshments and event catering is available on site.
A forum for cultivating international relations has also been established, promoting the links with Eastern European countries in cooperation with other organisations pursuing similar goals.
The Directors
Board of Trustees
Dr. Steffen Skudelny (chairman), Deutsche Stiftung Denkmalschutz, Bonn
Dr. Jürgen Eicke (vice-chairman)
Board duties:
- Appointment and dismissal of the executive board
- Review of annual reports
- Discharge of the executive board
Executive Board
From left to right:
- Gerhard Jöckel
- Klaus Sattler
- Gerd Zboril
- Martina Eicke (deputy)
- Dr. Joachim Horn (chairman)
- Dr. Veronika Schlüter
- Folker Seitz
Advisory Committee
Claudia Schäfer (chairwoman)
Forum Heiligenberg
Gerd Zboril (chairman)