The Ludes Foundation was established by Marianne and Stefan Ludes, a Potsdam-based couple with a passion for the arts and preservation. Marianne serves as author and chairwoman of the lit:pots association, while Stefan brings his expertise as both architect and sculptor. They call Villa Jacobs home—a magnificent estate perched on the hillside above Jungfernsee lake, commanding 80,000 m² of grounds. Under Stefan's stewardship, the park has been meticulously restored to its original splendor. Designed by the legendary landscape architect Peter Joseph Lenné, it now ranks among UNESCO's World Heritage Sites. The villa itself, originally constructed between 1835 and 1839 in Tuscan country-house style by architect Ludwig Persius (a student of Schinkel), was lovingly rebuilt in 2007–2008 following the original design. Years later, Persius designed another masterwork for the "sugar baron" Ludwig Jacobs: the sugar refinery that still stands at Potsdam's heart.

For years, the park has served as a cultural venue and occasional public gathering place, complemented by guided tours led by Marianne Ludes. Now, the estate opens its doors more regularly and is being thoughtfully transformed into a sculpture park. The journey began on May 21 of this year with the installation of a striking work by Alexander Polzin, a celebrated artist, stage designer, and painter. Titled "Fragments of Pound," the sculpture had previously appeared in public only once.

Visitors will soon enjoy fixed opening hours to explore the grounds, with a rich calendar of events spanning visual art, literature, and music. For Stefan Ludes, Polzin's work perfectly embodies the foundation's mission. "Fragments of Pound" engages with the legacy of poet Ezra Pound—Polzin has carved passages from Pound's "Cantos" directly into the stone. From its inception, the estate was envisioned as both artistic and agricultural. Fruit trees and a thriving vineyard flourish across the grounds, producing Frühburgunder grapes that are harvested annually and celebrated at the property's wine festival.

www.villajacobs.de

Photography Credits:

Thomas Voßbeck
www.iv-fotografie.berlin
Simon Detel
Alan Roderick

(Published in CUBE Berlin 02|22)