With the Letter of Intent signed and the team coming together, it was time to explore the unseen nooks and crannies.  I was handed a wad of keys, some 20 or so, and with my trusty IPhone flashlight, I head out to explore the depths of Schloss Mutzschen. Several of the garages and storage areas are rented privately, thus my inability to go inside previously. The two I was most curious about were the Clock Tower attic and the Hungerterm, or Watch Tower.
From my first glimpse through the gate almost 6 months ago, I was fascinated with what I affectionately call The Clock Tower Building. It presently serves as a Museum, but I have big plans for this little building! The attic and bell tower beckon me. I open the garage door that leads to the attic and what do I see? 2 vintage motorbikes!!! One is a BMW (of course) and one is a fabulously restored bike with a custom side car that looks like a work of art – HELLO!!!
Up the rickety ladder I go, through the cobwebs and past the huge spiders. Little windows in the attic provide glimpses of the Schloss, the Church, and the surrounding countryside – stunning! Another ladder, this one a little more sturdy, and a light switch to the small wooden attic cover lead me to the bell chamber. I squeeze through the small opening and pull the string to ring the bell for the very first time. The feeling of euphoria and wonder stop me in my tracks. How did this girl from a small town in Detroit Michigan find herself ringing the bell in a German Castle Clock Tower? How did I get so lucky to be living my life the way I want to live it and to be doing the things that I want to do every step of the way? Gratefulness and wonder abound.
I see the power cord for the clock and decide that we will have an official ceremony when we turn the clock back on again, but for now anyway, this will be left just as it is.
Now, on to the Watch Tower. The skeleton key opens the door, which turns out to be quite the omen… I walk in and immediately see the potential for a very special suite! There are 3 floors, the first 2 being obviously the bedroom and living room. I descend the metal ladder to the dungeon and shine my little IPhone flashlight and let out a scream! There is a human skeleton surrounded by candles in a little alcove. Once I regain my breath, I go to explore a little closer. I decide it is creepy, but not frightening. All good. Time to move on, but I think I will let someone else handle that task when the time comes to move it…
Next stop, the cellars under the Schloss. I hear over and over again that if the cellars are dry, the building is good! Down we go, through the spiderwebs and nothing but dry floors and beautiful stone work everywhere. My mind wanders to how these could be used. Beer cellar, wine cellar, whiskey cellar, private parties, any and all of the above will work I think.
Next stop, the former Orangerie. According to Wikipedia an orangery or orangerie was a building in the grounds of fashionable residences from the 17th to the 19th centuries and given a classicising architectural form. The orangery was similar to a greenhouse or conservatory. The Orangerie at Schloss Mutzschen has long since collapsed, leaving behind only the rubble which is now completely overgrown by trees and vines. I make my way through the overgrowth and find a path through the piles of stones to explore the cellars underground. Due to its original purpose, the Orangerie is South facing, providing the best possible light and exposure on the entire property. Rebuilding this would be an expensive proposition, but one that could create a very special place, perhaps a breakfast café, or maybe a spa or sauna area? This will clearly have to wait for more beans in the MotoSoul bucket, since there are enough projects to keep us busy already for the next few years in both time and money! Perhaps there is someone who becomes such a friend of MotoSoul that they dedicate themselves to the reconstruction of this special place, but in the meantime, we will have to be satisfied with seeing the ruins – like some of the great Greek and Italian ruins we know and love.
I conclude the exploratory research with a view of the engine room of the Schloss. Furnaces, water heaters, and electrical hardware, although relatively new for such an old building, will need replacing due to being dormant for such a long time. That’s OK, it seems with all of the alternative energy that surrounds us here, we should be able to do it better anyway.
Dry building, lots of interesting nooks and crannies, plenty of places for our guests to explore, until they find the place that suits them in both size and sentiment. The green lights continue, all is good in Mutzschen!