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New investor for Mattsies Castle: Social use planned!
Mattsies Castle in Lower Allgäu is sold; new investor plans social use. AfD project causes discussions.
New investor for Mattsies Castle: Social use planned!
In the picturesque Unterallgäu district, a significant change could soon be coming to Mattsies Castle. This listed 16th-century gem is up for sale, and it's causing plenty of talk in the region. The real estate company of the Free State of Bavaria, also known as Imby, has now found a potential buyer, who may be a foundation that wants to use the castle for social purposes after extensive renovation. This news was recently reported by [Augsburger Allgemeine](https://www.augsburger- Allgemeine.de/mindelheim/schloss-mattsies-neuer-investor-plant-sociale-nutz-des-denkmals-105969522).
The discussion about the sale of the castle is anything but new. Last year, AfD member of the state parliament Franz Schmid shocked people with his plans to set up a “Patriotic Center” there. This idea caught the attention of many residents and political observers. It remains to be seen how the situation will develop, as the new investor's exact plans are not yet known. However, the Committee for State Budget and Finance of the Bavarian State Parliament has approved a usage concept that provides for public access to the castle after renovation.
AfD and the political context
The background to Schmid’s plan must also be viewed in the light of the AfD’s general strategy. Scientists like Anna-Sophie Heinze from the University of Trier note that the AfD is increasingly trying to position itself as a “normal party” in order to appeal to younger groups of voters. The AfD's youth organization, known as Junge Alternative (JA), plays a central role, especially in East Germany, where it is active through casual events and online regulars' meetings. An article by BR highlights that young people in this political landscape often do not have a fixed party affiliation and shape their political views through social contacts.
In Bavaria, the Junge Alternative has gained influence in recent years, but according to the Bavarian Office for the Protection of the Constitution, activism is not particularly pronounced. Their networking with the Identitarian movement and fraternities, which are often classified as right-wing extremists, is causing further uproar. The head of the JA in Bavaria, Stephan Protschka, has in the past spoken out strongly in favor of a “patriotic youth center”.
The Castle – A hot place
But back to Mattsies Castle: none other than Franz Schmid himself has expressed his renovation plans and described them as a “life project”. It remains unclear how the situation will develop as there could be up to ten interested parties for the property. While Schmid plans to carry out the renovation with volunteers, the municipality of Tussenhausen has refrained from bidding because the risks and obligations associated with the purchase are considered to be too great.
A crucial aspect is the infrastructural conditions: the castle has no connection to the drinking water or wastewater network and no gas or district heating supply. This could make life difficult for potential buyers and will also keep the new investor busy.
The upcoming sale of Mattsies Castle promises an exciting development not only for the region, but also for the political currents in Bavaria. Whether Schmid's ambitious project can gain momentum remains to be seen - as does the question of whether the new buyer will actually implement the socially planned use.