The mansion is highly significant for several reasons: first of all it is a historical place of opposition and resistance against the Nazi-regime. Thomas Mann and his family found a home here in their exile, and Mann's famous novel “Dr. Faustus” was written here. Furthermore, it was an important rallying point for German intellectuals and artists living in California, where they could discuss and debate. In this house Mann also prepared his speeches “To the German people” that were later broadcast from London to Germany by long wave. Also this place shows that commitment by intellectuals, public protest and cultural intervention are necessary and can link two continents even across an ocean. The house demonstrates something that in our gloabalized mediatic world is taken for granted: democracy, freedom of art and speech are international, universal values.