The estate's name refers to the Hessian noble family of the Imperial Counts of Schlitz, also known as Görtz. Hans von Labes (1763–1831), originally from Großwoltersdorf-Zernikow, was adopted by his future father-in-law, Johann Eustach von Schlitz (1737–1821), in order to marry Louise Caroline von Schlitz (1774–1832). He was then raised to the rank of Count by the King, thus becoming Count von Schlitz. In 1806, Hans Count von Schlitz had the predecessor of Burg Schlitz (a dilapidated castle) demolished and, according to plans by Otto Hirt and under the supervision of Friedrich Adam Leiblin, had the three-winged Neoclassical manor house built on the Buchenberg hill as the family residence. The three wings of the building are arranged parallel to each other and are constructed of plaster. The two-story central section is set back slightly and features a semicircular columned portico with a flight of steps as its main entrance, topped by a lookout tower. The two three-story side wings each terminate in a gabled projection. Count von Schlitz, the builder, was significantly involved in all the planning; he even designed the extensive parkland entirely himself. In 1817, the Duke of Schwerin granted the Count's request to use the name "Burg Schlitz" for his estate, which included a castle, chapel, and landscaped park. After an interruption due to the effects of war, Burg Schlitz along with the surrounding park and the Caroline Chapel, was finally completed in 1824. Today, the structure is considered the largest Neoclassical complex in Mecklenburg and one of the most important Neoclassical buildings in Germany. The Count's primary objective was to revitalize the estate's agriculture. He had the farmworkers' housing renovated, improved their working conditions, and commissioned the construction of new farm buildings. In the "Mecklenburg Agricultural Society," which he founded in 1798 with Professor Franz Karsten from Rostock, he advocated for the improvement of agricultural production based on scientific principles. Hans Count von Schlitz died in 1831. The new owner, Heinrich Count von Bassewitz, had married the Count's daughter, Adele von Schlitz, in 1822. Members of the von Bassewitz family held the estate until 1931 and continued its work in accordance with the ideals of Count von Schlitz. In 1931, following bankruptcy, the estate came into the possession of the Mecklenburg Agricultural Society, which sold it in 1932 to the last "historical owner," Emil Georg von Stauß, then Director General of Deutsche Bank. The influential banker and board member of the Ufa film company in Berlin made the castle available to the National Socialists as a meeting place and retreat very early on. However, Burg Schlitz primarily served as a country residence for his family. After 1945, the von Stauß family was expropriated as part of the land reform. The estate became emergency accommodation for many refugee families and, at one point, a school for over 70 children. During the GDR era, Burg Schlitz was used as a retirement and nursing home for almost 40 years. After German reunification, Jägermeister AG acquired the property. From 1994 to 1999, the entire complex was restored and renovated at a cost of over 75 million Deutsche Marks and converted into a luxury castle hotel. Since then, it has operated continuously as a hotel and has been a haven of relaxation and tranquility for many people.
