For Ralph Eberhardt, the situation at Frankenstein Castle is already scary two months before Halloween.

The enterprising castle leaseholder feels abandoned by the Landesbetrieb Immobilien Hessen, which manages the castle.

In the meantime, Eberhardt has filed for bankruptcy as a precaution for two of his companies, which organize the Halloween spectacle and a cultural program every year.

This was necessary because from January 2024 onwards the basis of business was withdrawn due to the non-extension of the lease agreement.

Media reports of the bankruptcy are now causing considerable confusion among those who regularly visit the castle.

In an interview with the FAZ, Eberhardt reassured the many people who not only regularly go to the castle, but also to the restaurant or who have booked events such as weddings there.

The bankruptcy only affects his two event companies and is only a legally prescribed formality.

Because the state of Hesse will not extend Eberhard's lease for the castle, which expires on December 31, 2023, due to urgently pending renovation work both in the restaurant and at the castle.

However, all events can continue to take place at the castle until this date.

Restoration of the castle wall

Of course he is also planning the Halloween festival for this year.

He does not yet know what it will look like in 2023.

The state company gave him notice on the last day of the next year.

But if he is still offering events until shortly before the cancellation date, he will still need time in the first few weeks of 2024 to clear out everything that is stored in the castle.

He does not know whether he will be granted this period.

The relationship between the castle leaseholder and the state company has been tense for months anyway.

Eberhardt also sees the need to bring the aging restaurant into shape.

However, it does not make sense to him that he is no longer allowed to offer events up there during the renovation work on the castle.

According to Eberhardt, the renovation of the castle wall and at the same time one or the other event are not mutually exclusive, because he has a security concept recognized by all authorities and enough security personnel to hold such events.

"2000 to 3000 visitors at the weekend should be possible during the renovation phase, but not 300 visitors at an event," Eberhardt is annoyed about the negative attitude of the state company.

Monthly 10,000 euros lease to the land

According to Sabrina Freienstein, head of the state office for the southern district of Hesse, she is always ready to talk, but also told the FAZ that there can be no events at the castle during the construction phase for safety reasons.

However, she hopes that Eberhardt will offer events by the end of 2023.

Of course he has time to remove his utensils from the castle in the first few weeks of 2024, because the craftsmen will certainly not be on the mat by January 1st.

So far, however, Eberhardt has not approached her to clarify the details.

It is expressly in the interest of the state that the catering and events at a castle that is known far beyond the borders of the region continue until the end of 2023.

After that, however, the construction site takes precedence, emphasizes Freienstein.

She is grateful that the state is still making money available for a castle renovation in the current financial situation.

Eberhard, who transfers EUR 10,000 a month lease to the state of Hesse, expressly emphasizes that the restaurant and events at the castle will continue for the time being.

So you can look forward to the next Halloween event at the end of October.