Arriving at Beelitz, we realised what people mean when they say it's a huge site. I've never been anywhere as large as this! Sprawling across both sides of the railway line, it was impossible for me to understand the map so thank goodness there was a man who knew what he was doing with us by this time! We were prepared to navigate the site on our own, having travelled all the way to Berlin to do just that, but I never say no to a helpful man! 
Built in 1898, the site was designed as a sanatorium by the Berlin workers' health insurance corporation, the complex from the beginning of World War I on was a military hospital of the Imperial German Army. During October and November 1916, Adolf Hitler recuperated at Beelitz-Heilstätten after being wounded in the leg at the Battle of the Somme. In 1945, Beelitz-Heilstätten was occupied by Soviet forces, and the complex remained a Soviet military hospital until 1995, well after the German reunification. In December 1990 Erich Honecker was admitted to Beelitz-Heilstätten after being forced to resign as the head of the East German government.
Following the Soviet withdrawal, attempts were made to privatize the complex, but they were not entirely successful. Some sections of the hospital remain in operation as a neurological rehabilitation center and as a center for research and care for victims of Parkinson's disease. The remainder of the complex, including the surgery, the psychiatric ward, and a rifle range, was abandoned in 2000. As of 2007, none of the abandoned hospital buildings or the surrounding area were secured, giving the area the feel of a ghost town.
(History adapted from Wikipedia.)
We had managed to access the men's pavilion thanks to the photography group leaving the door open while they were inside! We mingled with them and got a few shots but we weren't in long before they decided to leave, thus kicking us out as they had to lock the door. At least we got to see some of it - a beautiful building!
Our main target was the bath house but unfortunately the photography group moved on to there and were onto us not being part of their official group so we called it a day and separated from our useful randoms. Luckily, we knew we had time the next day to return, and we had already found the access point...
I'm sure that Beelitz is decaying extremely quickly due to the vast number of visitors to the site. There are now 'official' paid tours of the site and buildings, as well as urban explorers and general tourists trampling through the place constantly. However, since many of us have been to or would like to go to Beelitz, are we in any position to judge others who would like to see it? It makes me wonder how little we consider our own role in the gradual destruction of the buildings we wish to preserve beyond their useful life.
Built in 1898, the site was designed as a sanatorium by the Berlin workers' health insurance corporation, the complex from the beginning of World War I on was a military hospital of the Imperial German Army. During October and November 1916, Adolf Hitler recuperated at Beelitz-Heilstätten after being wounded in the leg at the Battle of the Somme. In 1945, Beelitz-Heilstätten was occupied by Soviet forces, and the complex remained a Soviet military hospital until 1995, well after the German reunification. In December 1990 Erich Honecker was admitted to Beelitz-Heilstätten after being forced to resign as the head of the East German government.
Following the Soviet withdrawal, attempts were made to privatize the complex, but they were not entirely successful. Some sections of the hospital remain in operation as a neurological rehabilitation center and as a center for research and care for victims of Parkinson's disease. The remainder of the complex, including the surgery, the psychiatric ward, and a rifle range, was abandoned in 2000. As of 2007, none of the abandoned hospital buildings or the surrounding area were secured, giving the area the feel of a ghost town.
(History adapted from Wikipedia.)
DAY ONE
- with the extended team (me, Dystopia and 4 randoms - a Spanish man living in Berlin, his German girlfriend and two French Canadians).
We all do it...
- with the extended team (me, Dystopia and 4 randoms - a Spanish man living in Berlin, his German girlfriend and two French Canadians).
We all do it...
We had managed to access the men's pavilion thanks to the photography group leaving the door open while they were inside! We mingled with them and got a few shots but we weren't in long before they decided to leave, thus kicking us out as they had to lock the door. At least we got to see some of it - a beautiful building!
Our main target was the bath house but unfortunately the photography group moved on to there and were onto us not being part of their official group so we called it a day and separated from our useful randoms. Luckily, we knew we had time the next day to return, and we had already found the access point...
DAY TWO
- the bath house
I couldn't help myself! At least I kept my clothes on!
The Soviet medic statue still presiding over the buildings...
- the bath house
I couldn't help myself! At least I kept my clothes on!
The Soviet medic statue still presiding over the buildings...
I'm sure that Beelitz is decaying extremely quickly due to the vast number of visitors to the site. There are now 'official' paid tours of the site and buildings, as well as urban explorers and general tourists trampling through the place constantly. However, since many of us have been to or would like to go to Beelitz, are we in any position to judge others who would like to see it? It makes me wonder how little we consider our own role in the gradual destruction of the buildings we wish to preserve beyond their useful life.
