If you're from Germany or well-versed in historic German domestic architecture, I need your help. For my WIP I'm looking for a particular kind of dwelling within the borders of the old Bundesrepublik Deutschland, and I need you to advise me as to whether such a thing exists. Here's my requirements: Rural setting, isolated. Nestled into a valley surrounded by high hills or mountains would be desirable, or it could be in a forest. With some land around it. No neighbors in sight. Land doesn't have to belong to the house itself. Within a maximum two-hours drive from the ski resorts in Upper Bavaria In an area where a hiking trail might pass within a mile or two of it Built between the 1500s and the end of the 1800s. Older is better. Not old enough to be famous, however. It would have to exist in 1983, the date of the action in my novel. Architecturally interesting. Half-timbering desired. A small schloss (castle) might do, but what I have in mind would be more like a prosperous farmhouse. Outbuildings (barn, sheds, cowbyre, etc.) desirable. Not too small, not too big. Which brings me to the most important requirement It has to have a place (cellar, attic, inner room) where people can be held for ransom. I'd make something up, but my research on Google tells me there are specific, named types of Medieval German farmhouses, and most of the floor plans seem to have two or three big rooms. Not so good for hiding your hostage. I'm hoping there are other possibilities I've overlooked.
You're looking for something far too specific. In fiction writing, it doesn't really matter if it doesn't actually exist, per se. Only that it could exist. And I've lived in Germany, so what you're looking for? Won't find it. Stop being so narrow with your search. Are you familiar with Austrian man named Fritzl? Of course you aren't. Because you're too focused on what you want instead of getting what you could have. Fritzl built the cell that he kept his daughter in for decades. Have you considered that as a possibility?
I'd just make something up anyway. I doubt most of your readers would be experts on West German farmhouses, and of course every house is different, so why not just invent a house for your purposes? If it's an old house, there could have been bits added on over the years, like Kallisto suggested. And you could just say it's in Bavaria, without specifying any more than that (or make up a town for it to be near). Of course, you have more experience than me, so you might realise this is too much handwaving where I don't. This was a confused reply. Hopefully you get the gist.
what i'd suggest is find a location which works for you - and find a house that works for you and then move one to the other... if accuracy worries you call it out in the back matter
Yeah, well, maybe I gave the wrong impression. What I'm trying to find out us if this sort of place is possible--- that it, as you say, could exist. Versus "Are you crazy? All the 300 year old farmhouses in southern Germany have been converted into Starbucks franchises!"
Oooh, this is good--- including the messiness. And you see that half-timbered house across the courtyard at 1:10? That's exactly the kind of look I'm going for. I'd have no compunction whatsoever about combining that façade with the video-maker's floor plan.
I thought the attic was really creepy. And I do wonder about the video. Who would make a video of a house that was so awful on the inside? Yikes. Lots of story material there. Although the house doesn't seem to be isolated, in that there are other houses nearby.
