Millions for the renovation of the Kornhaus in Meissen

The German Foundation for Monument Protection (DSD) is supporting the renovation of the Kornhaus in Meissen with 1.3 million euros. A corresponding funding agreement was handed over to the Otto and Emma Horn Foundation as the owner of the historic building. The Kornhaus is one of more than 870 buildings that the private DSD has been able to support in Saxony alone thanks to donations, income from its foundations and funds from the Glücksspirale lottery,

Kornhaus is considered a contemporary witness to German history

The money will be used to restore the Kornhaus' façade and historic windows. "Thanks to the generous support of the German Foundation for Monument Protection, we can now restore the outer shell to its former glory," explained foundation administrator Tom Lauerwald. DSD board member Steffen Skudelny described the Kornhaus as a "relevant contemporary witness to urban and German history".

The Meissen porcelain manufactory was also one of its users

The Kornhaus was built at the same time as the neighboring Albrechtsburg around 1470 on the north side of the cathedral square as a farm building. In the mid-18th century, it was used by the Royal Porcelain Manufactory. In the last quarter of the 19th century, structural changes were made in the neo-Gothic style. A third of the building dates back to this period, with a good two thirds dating back to the time of construction.

In 2022, the Kornhaus was threatened with forced sale

The last time the Kornhaus made the headlines was in 2022. At the time, it was threatened with foreclosure, but this was averted. At that time, the building was still owned by an Austrian-Italian investor group. It had belonged to the city of Meissen until 2008. Originally, the investors wanted to convert the Kornhaus into a luxury hotel. However, the building from the late 15th century fell into disrepair.

The AfD had expressed an interest in buying the building in order to establish an educational center there and wanted to bid in the auction. There was widespread opposition to this. The Left Party called on the Free State of Saxony to acquire the building. The Ministry of Finance rejected the purchase due to a lack of demand. In 2023, the Kornhaus was sold to the Otto and Emma Horn Foundation Meissen.