Varrel Manor

Closely linked to the history of the town is Gut Varrel, a complex consisting of a manor house with a barn, a bakehouse, and a watermill. In 1381, Count Otto IV of Oldenburg zu Delmenhorst permitted the Heiligenrode Monastery to establish an estate and settlement. Ownership then changed hands in 1581 to Count Anton I of Oldenburg, in 1655 to Berndt Pundt, in 1732 to Court Councillor Henrich Hake, in 1891 to the Johann Dietrich Meyer family, and in 1976 to the municipality of Stuhr. The estate was left to decay and has been meticulously restored by hand and converted into a cultural meeting place since July 9, 1980, by a citizens' initiative, the Förderverein Gut Varrel e.V.

The manor house, built in 1747, is a two-story brick building with a hipped roof. It served as the residence of the estate owners and their families. Today, it houses a restaurant and event rooms.

The barn, dating from 1826, is a large half-timbered building that was used for agricultural purposes. After extensive renovation, it now serves as a venue for concerts, theater performances, and other cultural events.

The bakehouse, built in 1850, was originally used to bake bread for the estate's inhabitants. Today, it is still in operation and offers visitors the opportunity to experience traditional bread baking.

The watermill, first mentioned in 1581, was essential for grinding grain. It was extensively restored in 1996 and is now fully functional. Visitors can observe the milling process and learn about the history of the mill.

The Förderverein Gut Varrel e.V. was founded in 1980 with the goal of preserving and revitalizing the historic Gut Varrel. Through countless hours of volunteer work and the support of numerous donors, the association has successfully transformed the dilapidated estate into a vibrant cultural center. The Förderverein regularly organizes events, guided tours, and workshops to make the history and culture of Gut Varrel accessible to a broad public.

The Förderverein Gut Varrel e.V. has many plans for the future. These include the further restoration of historical buildings, the expansion of cultural offerings, and the creation of new educational programs. The association is always looking for new members and volunteers who want to contribute to the preservation of this unique cultural monument.