What’shappening

Three birthdays, one castle, a weekend you won’t forget. Here’s the plan (loosely).

When Georg, Cari, and Peter all turned 40, a dinner wasn’t going to cut it. So we found a castle — an actual 18th-century baroque palace in Sachsen-Anhalt, built for the mother of Catherine the Great — and we’re taking the whole thing over for a weekend.

This isn’t a festival. It’s not a conference. It’s 160 friends in an extraordinary place, eating together, dancing together, swimming together, and having the kind of time that doesn’t happen in normal life.

No strangers. No awkward networking. Just your people in a castle with a pool.

— Georg, Cari & Peter

The rough plan

Friday

Arrive & settle in

  • •Get there from late afternoon, explore the castle, find your room
  • •Welcome dinner in the courtyard — all plant-based, all delicious
  • •First drinks, catching up, figuring out the castle’s secret passages

Saturday

The big one

  • •Late brunch — no alarms
  • •Pool party all afternoon (DJ, sun loungers, the works)
  • •The birthday dinner — the main event
  • •Live music and dancing until you can’t anymore

Sunday

Wind down

  • •Very late brunch. Coffee first.
  • •Last swim, last walk around the grounds
  • •Goodbyes and departure by afternoon

We’ll share a proper schedule closer to the date. This is the gist.

What’s covered

All meals

Friday dinner through Sunday brunch. Fully vegetarian & vegan — properly good food, not a compromise.

Music & entertainment

Live music, DJ sets, whatever happens. Bring an instrument if you’ve got one.

The venue

Full castle access all weekend. Grounds, halls, cellar, gardens — the lot.

The pool

Freshly built on the castle grounds. Towels provided. DJ set Saturday afternoon.

Questions you probably have

How much does it cost?

We're asking for a solidarity contribution of around €90. That covers food, drinks, music, the pool, and the venue. If you want to sleep in the castle, €90 is the minimum to secure your bed. Staying elsewhere? Pay what works — no one's checking, no one's judging. Can you do more? Amazing, it helps others.

Can I bring someone?

Yes! Just make sure each person fills out their own RSVP so we can plan. Share thecastletakeover.de with them.

Wait, the food is all vegan/vegetarian?

Yep. All of it. And it's going to be great — think proper feasts, not sad salads. Let us know about allergies in the RSVP.

What should I bring?

Comfortable clothes, layers for evenings, swimwear (obviously), a torch for late-night castle exploring. A musical instrument if you play. Good energy.

Is there wifi?

Basic wifi at the castle. Mobile signal is spotty. Consider it a feature.

Can I come for just one day?

You can — pick 'day only' in the RSVP. But honestly, the magic is in the full weekend. Stay if you can.

Where do I sleep?

About 90 beds in the castle (requires min. €90 contribution to secure your spot), 70 more in a nearby village, plus camping on the grounds. Or book your own hotel. You pick in the RSVP.

That’s the plan. You in?

I’m In