In the southern foothills of the Bavarian Forest, nestled between dense woods and vast meadows, with the Bohemian breeze blowing through, lies Scherleinsöd – a place that seems tailor-made for escaping the hustle and bustle of everyday life. On the edge of this idyllic village lies the Richterhaus – a single-pitched farmhouse built in 1670 as a bailiff’s residence, which served as a home for court officials for many decades and later for craftsmen, and which, with its simple yet characterful architecture, still embodies the spirit of the early modern countryside to this day. After standing empty for 30 years, the listed building was renovated as a family project on their own initiative and transformed into a holiday home for two to six people.
Starting with the history, for at first glance it seems as though time has stood still here: the gneiss and granite fieldstones, weathered by the years; the plaster, slowly crumbling away; the numerous small windows. Preserving the original architectural heritage, its physical fabric and spatial structure was at the heart of the renovation. This blends seamlessly with contemporary design: old floorboards meet new ones, antique furniture meets minimalist design, historic doors meet fresh colours, and original wall paintings meet large-scale wooden panelling.
The living room, panelled in fir wood and featuring a leather sofa and a bookcase, contrasts with the rustic charm of the parlour, with its farmhouse table and minimalist fireplace. This is complemented by a small sitting area for light snacks on summer days. The smokehouse beneath a Bohemian vaulted ceiling evokes times gone by, whilst the well-equipped, modern kitchenette even features a wine fridge. Finally, the three bedrooms – including the ‘gute Stube’ and the former storeroom – offer a peaceful retreat.
For a gentle transition between the house and the countryside, the best place to visit is the garden room with its green vintage furniture – whether for reading, listening to music or relaxing after a sauna in the garden. Three steps down and you find yourself outside amongst climbing ivy, marigolds and poppies, currant bushes and quinces – there’s even a cottage garden. For those keen to explore, the surrounding area offers plenty of activities.
What to do
Whether it’s a mountain bike, gravel bike, road bike or e-bike – there’s certainly endless cycling to be enjoyed between the Danube and the Vltava, in South Bohemia in the Czech Republic or in the Austrian Mühlviertel region; hiking up the Dreisessel or Lusen, along the Danube or at a leisurely pace on high-altitude trails, swimming in Lake Ranna and Lake Freudensee, snowshoeing or cross-country skiing, a trip to nearby Passau, small weekly markets with regional produce, and cuisine ranging from Bavarian traditional inns to fine dining
Why we like this house
A delightful blend of history and the present day.
This house is great for
Families and friends of up to six people
Sustainability
Preservation of historic architecture in close harmony with nature; electric vehicle charging points in Untergriesbach (3 km); public transport: take the train to Passau, then bus 6101 to Untergriesbach, and either walk (30 mins) or take the on-demand bus to Scherleinsöd
Details
| Region |
DE – Germany, Bavaria, Untergriesbach near Passau Lower Bavaria |
| Name | Das Richterhaus |
| Scenery | On the outskirts of the small village in the southern foothills of the Bavarian Forest |
| Number of guests | Max. 6 |
| Completed | 2026 |
| Design | Lea Hailer und Felix Scheuermann - co.nzept |
| Architecture | Old & new |
| Accomodation | Holiday home |
| Criteria | Family, Garden, Hiking, Lake/river, Mountains, Skiing |
Availability calendar
The calendar shows the current availability of the accommodation. On days with white background the accommodation is still available. On days with dark gray background the accommodation is not available.
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