Das Blaue Pferd wasn’t always going to be an artistic retreat. When Elisophie Eulenburg took over the property in the 2010s, all she knew was that she wanted a space for gestalten, room for scratching that itch of imagination. The space definitely invites such daydreaming: several quaint brick buildings, including the old barn, enclose a courtyard to create an insulated microcosmos for creative thinking.
Old, new, borrowed and blue
As Eulenburg renovated the buildings bit by bit, the project began to take shape with a focus on sustainability and “found” items. Even the name was something she stumbled upon, in the form of a 14th-century token of a blue horse discovered in the garden in the early days of construction.
Das Blaue Pferd is right in the middle of Ruppiner Seenland, so there are plenty of lakes to visit
The ever-evolving, piece-by-piece nature of Das Blaue Pferd is key to its cosy charm. Walking through the main house, Eulenburg has an origin story for every detail: a gleaming white wood-burning range left by the previous owner, a red chair found zu verschenken in her teens, a beautiful sideboard from her grandparents. The rooms are sparse but friendly, with heaping, marshmallow-y bedding, soft natural light, and small desks placed in front of the windows for writing, drawing or dreaming up ideas. The end result is a calming farmhouse simplicity mixed with energising colourblock accents: think dark green tiles, goldenrod Kachelöfen (tiled stove) and floral curtains.
Arts & Crafts
While you’re welcome to hunker down for deep work in your room, the barn and the old shed are available for groups working on performances, planning small publications or doing any larger-scale collaborative work. To find inspiration for your current project, rummage through the Materialbibliothek, an odds-and-ends room full of everything from gold foil to pots and pans to a jar “chandelier”.
The name was stumbled upon, in the form of a 14th-century token of a blue horse discovered in the garden
Eulenburg is particularly interested in artistic visitors willing to lend a hand with ongoing DIY projects, like a homemade pizza oven or an outdoor bucket shower tucked in the greenery behind the barn. There are workshop days (coming up: a fermentation workshop on May 27th) as well as the opportunity to plan and host your own events. Collaborative and community-oriented work is at the heart of what Eulenburg envisions for Das Blaue Pferd, and visitors looking to share their work or engage with the locals in the village are encouraged to apply for residencies.
Around town
When you’re not making art (or new friends), venture out into the surrounding area to clear your head. Das Blaue Pferd is right in the middle of Ruppiner Seenland, so there are plenty of lakes to visit. Zehdenick, the nearest town, has dozens of little ponds for an afternoon dip; larger and more remote lakes are a short cycle away. The Kleeblattrouten are a series of nature bike trails that swing you by multiple swimming holes, or you can jump on the Copenhagen route and ride up towards Fürstenberg for a longer scenic route.
If you prefer to stay in town, Eulenburg recommends taking a Kaffee und Kuchen in the courtyard café at Thomashof, another farmstay in the area. If you’re lucky, the secondhand furniture market will be on at the old Filmtheater, and you can sift through vintage treasures for a functional yet fashionable memento of your trip
At a glance
Getting there
- Public transport: RB12 from Ostkreuz towards Templin, get off in Zehdenick. Then, cycle for 20 minutes or take the bus, which runs three times a day.
- Car: The 1-hour drive is a straight shot north. Do your grocery run in Zehdenick; the village offers little in terms of essentials.
- Pricing: Groups of 2-7 for €85-200/night (plus €60-80 cleaning fee), or rent entire space for up to 10 for €285/night (plus €140 cleaning fee). Pricing for the barn and artist residencies upon request.
Info and booking
To make a booking or apply for a residency, email [email protected]. The exact location is provided on booking.
