Hitler’s “force planned for 20,000 holiday guests: through joy”-the plant on the island of Rügen is a bizarre legacy. DW-reporter Maike Grunwald was wrong in 2005 through the ruins, came in the summer of 2019 again – and marveled.
The sea wind cut through our Jackets. The clouds are gloomy, as the chain of ruins, on which we trudge. Block to block you line the coast for miles on end. It’s like a strange dream, in which one runs and runs and is not progressing.
So I experienced in January 2005, the “colossus of Prora” on the Baltic sea island of Rügen, built in the 1930-ies in the order of Adolf Hitler according to the plans of a Nazi architect, was in fact, Clemens Klotz. The insane goal: 20,000 people at the same time, should make in the nearly five-kilometre-long facility holiday, organized by the national socialist organization “strength through joy” (KdF). Your task: to control the leisure of the German population, and on the same lines. All 10,000 rooms should have a view of the sea, therefore, the gigantic length of the building.
Monument of Megalomania
Prora is the megalomania of the Nazi government and their inability to. When she started in 1939, the Second world war, were set to the construction work, the plant never completed. Not a single KdF-Tourist vacationing ever in the “seaside resort of twenty thousand”. Instead, the bed houses, which were done in the shell, for military use, such as barracks, it was only in Hitler’s were rich, then in the GDR. After the fall of the wall and reunification, the complex was placed under monument protection. Museums and artists ‘ studios moved in, but in many Parts of the Monster fell into-construction, the world’s longest of its type.
Gigantic: “The colossus of Prora”, from the sea seen
Holiday idyll on a Sunny beach
Leap In Time, The Summer Of 2019. The sun dabs of Glitter sparkles on the Baltic sea. My hair is wet from Swimming. I see the children at Proras fine sandy gold, beach games, one of the most beautiful in the Baltic sea. A little Boy wants to save all the jellyfish by wearing them back into the shallow sea. Couple relaxing in a Beach chair, family flying a kite.
On new towers, lifeguards watch over the bathers. Prora is recognized for 2018 officially as a resort. The Promenade of the neighboring fashionable sea resort of Binz has been extended up to here, the tourist baths, train stops now at the old KdF-Bad – a resort in the making.
With sea views: holiday apartment in the Hotel “Prora Solitaire”
My apartment is located a few steps from the beach, behind the dune, with its fragrant pine trees, and directly in the “colossus of Prora”, in Block II, It is hard to recognize with its white facade and glass balconies, on which colorful swimsuit in the sun to dry. This section now houses the Design-apartment hotel “Prora Solitaire”. Instead of the planned of 12.5 square meters of small “strength through joy”-double rooms with
Community showers stay guests, today, in luxurious apartments, 28 to 120 square meters in size, with a bathroom and a fully equipped kitchen.
The new Spa area attracts with Sauna and indoor swimming pool. Children splash in the two outdoor pools. The Lobby is a new glass building, the planted wall behind the Desk with the plants. A huge screen plays the Baltic sea-impressions.
The author explores the 5-Kilometer-long system by bike
From brown and White
I can’t wait to explore the so-transformed huge system. But this time please with the wheel. There is now a rental, also in Block II, where now a hairdresser’s salon, a Boutique, an Italian, a Bistro with a fish sandwich, a Burger Restaurant, a Café and a bakery have opened.
The Promenade is so revived, that I have to be careful Cycling. Block I, which houses another Hotel, I leave behind me on my way to the North. Block III, where also apartments are to be created, is a Mix of still unrenovated Parts, white-painted sections, and site.
Old UN-refurbished parts of Block III, behind the Hotel Block II-meets-new:
Behind it is the historic center of the KdF plant is located, where the festival hall, cafes, swimming , Gymnastics, concert halls and theatres were planned. Here a longer stop in the period’s worth exhibition is on vacation, the shows, the documentation centre Prora since 2004. Exciting and surprising Details about the architecture and history of the KdF plant reveal in addition, guided tours of the grounds.
The pleasure from my Hotel, I meet with the leadership of interested. “Actually brought us here, the beautiful location directly on the beach, and the good accessibility by train. And it was cheaper than Similar in Binz,” says a Couple from Rhineland-Palatinate with 13-year-old son. “But since we’re here, we want to know more about the story.” The exhibition and guide would you recommend.
Exciting: guidance from the documentation centre Prora on the site
“The longest youth hostel in the world”
Other parts of the colossus are large construction sites, in the historic center including a supermarket and doctor’s offices should be created. Block IV is hung against a largely refurbished, with holiday and normal apartments, to assisted Living for seniors.
In front of Block V, where already opened in 2011, according to the Website “the longest youth hostel in the world”, I meet a Swedish family, which is only because of Proras story here. So like many other days, visitors from all over Europe. Holidaymakers here spend the night, including many young families, lures, however, especially the beautiful beach, which is not yet as full as in Binz.
A magnet for visitors: Prora also attracts international guests, such as this one, a Swedish family
Place of peace, of nature and of encounter
Species-rich nature that could settle in the abandoned plant. Rare bats and barn swallows, for the rehabilitated sections of new nesting sites were created, are beautiful to watch and the best mosquito protection. The experience exhibition at the natural heritage centre in Prora, 15 Radminuten from the colossus away, informed of the habitats on site and offers guided hikes.
The bauwipfel path in the Form of an eagle’s nest
A Highlight is the treetop walkway of the heritage centre is a 40-Meter-high observation tower. He is also a wheelchair attractive, as well as the hostel and the Apartment-Hotel, both with low-barrier units. Hitler in his euthanasia-delusion would not be pleased. Not one of my neighbors in the Hotel to a gay Couple. Of course, the “seaside resort of twenty thousand” was designed exclusively for the so-called “Aryans”, were the mentally ill, racial and other specifications in the “third Reich”. A promotional poster from 1939 shows a blonde, heterosexual Couple, in front of an idealized drawing of the KdF system.
Prora, its past, architecture and also the renovation of the monument by private investors remain controversial. Some visitors find the complex oppressive, others are happy that he was not torn down – that was up for discussion. The controversial plant a conversation piece, anywhere get.
The colossus has become a place of encounter. He is still an impressive monument, but also an attractive holiday destination, which is open to everyone who wants to take a vacation to one of the most beautiful beaches in Germany. A mix that I find unique.
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Ten reasons for complaintsChalk cliffs
Bright white they stand out on 160 meters in height. Rügen’s Chalk Cliffs. They are part of the Jasmund national Park. Above the cliffs, a Hiking trail along that offers wonderful views of leads. As the painter Caspar David Friedrich in the 19th century. Century, spent his honeymoon on the island of Rügen, he painted this landscape. His paintings of the chalk rock is world famous today.
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Ten reasons for complaintsTreetop walkway
You are like the last remaining primeval forest in Europe – beech forests. The beech forest on the island of Rügen is since 2011 a UNESCO world heritage site. The treetop path, which is screwed in a 1,250 Meter long spiral in the level, brings visitors to the giant tree close by. The Highlight of the view from the 40-metre-high lookout tower on the rügen landscape. With a bit of luck white-tailed eagle, we can even observe.
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Ten reasons for complaintsBathrooms architecture
The white villas on the promenade of Binz, the epitome of German seaside architecture and is characteristic of the seaside resorts at the Baltic sea. The magnificent buildings of Binz originated from the early 19th century. Century. Playful turrets and Gables, richly decorated facades with balconies – the buildings radiate the joy and ease of summer.
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Ten reasons for complaintsSellin Pier
It is the landmark of the island and a particularly magnificent example of the resort architecture. The first third is a building with three Restaurants. Behind the pier stretches nearly 400 meters into the sea and invites you to stroll. The pier of Sellin is a successful Remake: it was built in the 1990s, according to the old templates complete again.
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Ten reasons for complaintsCape Arkona
This excursion destination can be reached on foot, by bike and by car to: Cape Arkona, a cliff on the Northern tip of the island. From a distance two lighthouses greet. The older one (on the left) from 1828 it is today a monument, Museum and Registrar’s office. His neighbor from the year 1902 is still in operation. Both have viewing platforms. 86 steps lead the small, 175 stages at the big up.
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Ten reasons for complaintsThe Fishing Village Of Vitt
On the cliffs a little to the South of Cape Arkona Vitt is located. It is often described as the island’s most romantic place. The entire village, with its 13 thatched cottages stands under monument protection. How old it is, no one knows. You may have already in the 10. Century lived here, fishing. The monument protection is implemented consistently, for cars Vitt is locked.
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Ten reasons for complaintsThe colossus of Prora
The West coast of the island is dominated by a 4.5-Kilometer-long concrete block. The “KdF-seaside resort” Rügen is a legacy of the national socialists. The organization “strength through joy” (KdF) planned accommodations for 20,000 people. The Second world war prevented the completion. Later, the GDR, used the complex as a barracks, today, Prora attracts visitors with its beach-side location for investors.
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Ten reasons for complaintsCircus of Putbus
That Putbus was once the residence of the city, to see her today. It was founded in 1810 by Prince Wilhelm Malte zu Putbus. The historical core of the city, the Circus, is an architectural pearl. The Central square was created as a roundabout with an Obelisk in the middle of the eight little avenues lead away. The place is surrounded by representative buildings in neo-classical style.
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Ten reasons for complaintsGranitz Hunting Lodge
In the midst of an enchanted beech forest in the Southeast of the island, this piece of jewelry is. It was built 170 years ago in the style of Northern Italian Renaissance castle with four corner towers and a Central tower. The hunting Museum is closed today, are exhibited old hunting rifles and furniture from the 19th century. Century. From the Central tower offers a panoramic view over the whole island.
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Ten reasons for complaintsCrane locking
Germany’s largest island is an important resting place for cranes on their way South. In mid-August, the first of the pairs with fledged young to come, until the end of October, there are about 70.000 birds. You have to beat the bellies full for their long journey to southern Europe and Africa. For nature lovers, there are observation booths, guided tours and even photo huts that you can rent.
Note: The participation in the trip was supported by Hotel “Prora Solitaire”.