{"id":8746,"date":"2020-05-21T12:48:55","date_gmt":"2020-05-21T10:48:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fernwehmotive.de\/?p=8746"},"modified":"2024-02-10T20:51:33","modified_gmt":"2024-02-10T19:51:33","slug":"lost-places-berlin-brandenburg","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fernwehmotive.de\/en\/lost-places-berlin-brandenburg\/","title":{"rendered":"Lost Places - abandoned Places in Berlin and Brandenburg"},"content":{"rendered":"

Germany.<\/strong> When I moved to Berlin in 1995, there were lost places like a dime a dozen. There were hardly any fences, and certainly no surveillance. They were hidden, ephemeral and always surrounded by a certain myth and adventure. And that's what made these abandoned places so appealing. ...even today. But in the course of time they became less and less. The lost places were cordoned off, demolished or, in the best case, developed for a new use. But some are still there. Here I show you my 12 favourite lost places in Berlin and Brandenburg. I also tell you if and how you can visit the abandoned places yourself. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Non-solicited, unpaid advertising. This article contains affiliate links*, marked with an asterisk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Smashed windows of a ruin at Werneuchen airfield<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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My Top 14 Lost Places in Berlin and Brandenburg are:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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  1. Military Headquarters W\u00fcnsdorf<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Spreepark - former Amusement Park of the GDR<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Beelitz Sanatorium<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. Teufelsberg Listening Station<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  5. Dreilinden Border Control Point and Remains of the Old Autobahn<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  6. Olympic Village of 1936 near Elstal<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  7. Government and Stasi Hospital of the GDR in Berlin-Buch<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  8. Tempelhof Airport<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  9. Former Iraqi Embassy in the GDR<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  10. R\u00fcdersdorf Feed Phosphate Factory<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  11. Locomotive Shed Pankow-Heinersdorf<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  12. Airfield Werneuchen<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  13. Tempelhof Shunting yard on the Sch\u00f6neberger S\u00fcdgel\u00e4nde<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  14. Stadtbad (City Bath) Lichtenberg<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  15. Bucket Wheel Excavator 1473<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  16. Haidem\u00fchl Glass Factory<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    In Berlin and Brandenburg there are still numerous lost places. But time has left its traces. Decay and vandalism are obvious. But a second look reveals the former beauty and importance of the places<\/strong>This is the moment when I wish to capture those places with my photos. I want to save it from transience<\/strong> and tell its story(s).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Some of the above mentioned Lost Places in Berlin are currently being developed. The Olympic Village is being developed into a residential area and the Spreepark is being converted into a public park. There are now also plans for the Beelitz Sanatorium. I very much hope that the history of these places will not be erased. How nice it would be if they could be remembered and experienced as what they once were (at least from the outside or with information boards).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    Visiting Lost Places - What is allowed?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Is it legal to enter lost places? As a rule, unfortunately not. Most abandoned places are private property - trespassing is considered illegal<\/strong>. Mostly, barriers and signs make this clear. Some places are even secured with surveillance cameras and\/or motion detectors. And often with good reason: vandalism <\/strong>and needless destruction should be prevented. In addition, some lost places are also not entirely without danger. Danger of collapse, falling of loose parts as well as breaking in through rotten ceilings<\/strong> pose a risk. Many abandoned places in Berlin and Brandenburg can therefore only be viewed from the outside. However, you can also visit some lost places as part of a guided tour or even a photo tour<\/strong> . And that is absolutely worthwhile!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Disclaimer: Illegally entering into pacified property is trespassing. Entering Lost Places can be dangerous, this also applies to legal access. This article is not a recommendation for action, but is purely informative. No liability is assumed.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"Lost
    Sad to see! Vandalism in the archive of the former government hospital of the GDR in Berlin-Buch.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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    #1 Military Headquarters W\u00fcnsdorf <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    The \"Forbidden City\" at the Gates of Berlin<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    \"Little Moscow\"<\/strong> in W\u00fcnsdorf is my favourite of the lost places around Berlin<\/strong>. Behind walls, fences and barriers, the military site developed into a Russian city on the doorstep of Berlin<\/strong>. At peak times, up to 75,000 military personnel and their families lived here. There were schools, kindergartens, shops as well as sports and cultural facilities. In addition, a train ran to Moscow every day, connecting the location with the home of its inhabitants. But contacts between the Russians and the GDR population were prohibited. Only those who worked here and had a special identity card were allowed to enter. For this reason, the military location W\u00fcnsdorf was also called the \"Forbidden City\"<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"verlassener
    Past glory in the theatre hall at the military site W\u00fcnsdorf.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    History of the Military Site W\u00fcnsdorf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    The history of the military site dates back to Wilhelminian times<\/strong> . Already in 1872 W\u00fcnsdorf was a military training area. During the First World War the headquarters of the Reichswehr and a prisoner of war camp<\/strong> were located here. During the Nazi era, W\u00fcnsdorf was an army sports school and the seat of the army high command<\/strong>. Later the buildings were used as a military hospital <\/strong>. After the Second World War, the Soviet Army <\/strong>finally moved in here in 1951. They then used and expanded the military and bunker facilities as their headquarters. From here, the total of 1500 locations of the Soviet Army in the GDR were administered. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"Verlassener
    The historical swimming hall is one of the highlights of the military location W\u00fcnsdorf.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    After the reunification of Germany, the Russians left the site in 1994. They took everything with them, Little Moscow became a ghost town. The 260-hectare site was then cleared of ammunition remnants, scrap metal and various contaminated sites<\/strong> . After that, they started to look for a new use f\u00fcr the approximately 700 buildings in need of renovation<\/strong> . However, countless buildings still stand empty and have so far only been repaired in a makeshift manner. Wallpaper and paint flake off the walls and fade. Plants grow through open windows and doors. Nature recaptures the area and brings a mystical atmosphere <\/strong>to a place where time has stood still. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Tour of the Lost Place in W\u00fcnsdorf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    The abandoned place is best seen during a photo tour with Go2Know<\/strong> with your camera. What is there to see? Among other things, the castle-like House of Officers<\/strong>, a magnificent theater hall<\/strong>, a gymnasium<\/strong>, a cinema<\/strong>, a swimming hall <\/strong>with a boiler house <\/strong>and an outdoor pool<\/strong>. One of the highlights is also the Lenin Monument <\/strong>in front of the House of Officers (you can see it on the title picture).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Tip:<\/strong> The village of W\u00fcnsdorf, with a population of around 6000, is nicknamed \"Book and bunker town\". Because numerous antiquarian bookshops offer books. You can also visit some of the bunkers on guided tours<\/strong><\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    \"Lost
    Pretty narrow in the showers<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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    \"Lost
    In the boiler house the pipes are partly named in Russian script.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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    Visit: <\/strong>Photo tours are offered by Go2Know
    Address: <\/strong>Hauptallee 116, 15806 Zossen
    Directions to get there: <\/strong>Take the regional train R5 or R7 from Berlin main station to W\u00fcnsdorf Waldstadt. From there it is a 15-minute walk (total duration about 1.25 hours). By car you take the B96 from Berlin about 60 minutes south.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"Verlassener
    Mystical and enchanted - the old open-air swimming pool at the military location W\u00fcnsdorf slowly grows over.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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    #2 Spreepark - former Amusement Park of the GDR<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    The big ferris wheel <\/strong>of the Spreepark is already visible from afar. But it has not turned for a long time. Also the other rides <\/strong>stand still and become more and more overgrown. Today there is not much left of the former amusement park in the Pl\u00e4nterwald. But everything that is still there offers many great opportunities for photographers<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"Lost
    The ferris wheel with its 40 gondolas was the landmark of the Spreepark. Even today it dominates the skyline.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    In 1969 the first and only permanent amusement park in the GDR<\/strong>. The \"Kulturpark Pl\u00e4nterwald\" counted about 1.7 million visitors in its best year. After the German reunification the amusement park was then taken over by the Spreepark GmbH & Co. KG <\/em>of the showman Norbert Witte. Since then the park is called \"Spreepark\". But due to a lack of guests the owner filed for insolvency in 2001 and the park closed down. Several attempts to reopen the park to visitors followed. But none of them was successful. Instead, the owner and his son made headlines and were convicted of drug smuggling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"Lost
    Remains of the dinosaurs that once inhabited the Spreepark.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    From 2011 onwards, individual rides continued to operate for a while and guests were served in the \"Mythos\" caf\u00e9. But the temporary use could not stop the decay of the amusement park. Some of the buildings were in danger of collapsing. After a major fire in August 2014, several buildings even had to be demolished. In 2014, the state of Berlin finally bought back the site. Through the state-owned Gr\u00fcn Berlin GmbH, the Lost Place is now to be converted into a cultural and leisure park <\/strong>attractive to tourists. The past as a famous amusement park is also to have a place in the new usage concept. The Ferris wheel is also to be turned again one day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"Achterbahntunnel
    The roller coaster tunnel in the former Spreepark is a highlight for photografers <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Visit: <\/strong>The Spreepark can be visited in guided tours every year from April to the beginning of November.
    Address: <\/strong>Kiehnwerderallee 1-3, 12437 Berlin
    Directions to get there:<\/strong> To the Pl\u00e4nterwald S-Bahn station (S8, S9), from here 15 minutes on foot<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    #3 Beelitz Sanatorium<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    The Beelitz sanatoriums are one of the best known and most popular lost places in the Berlin area<\/strong>. Scary stories entwine themselves around the buildings of the abandoned place, which are widely spread in the forest. The mystical atmosphere and the villa-like architecture also offer countless photo motifs. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The workers' lung sanatorium Beelitz still comprises 60 buildings<\/strong> on an area of 200 hectares. They were built between 1898 and 1930 by the Berlin State Insurance Institution. As one of the largest hospital complexes in the Berlin area, the sanatoriums could accommodate up to 1,200 patients at that time. The patients were mostly suffering from tuberculosis. Here they were treated with healing treatments, fresh air and a feel-good programme. This and strict hygiene were the only things that could be done against tuberculosis at that time. Because antibiotics were not yet available.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"Lost
    Formerly a modern sanatorium, today a lost place - the men's clinic in the Beelitz lung sanatorium in the south of Berlin<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    During the First and Second World Wars the sanatoriums were converted into a military hospital for wounded soldiers. Afterwards the Soviet Army operated the largest military hospital outside the Soviet Union<\/strong> here from 1945 to 1993.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    In the meantime, all buildings of the former sanatoriums have been sold and are now to be renovated. In some areas the work has already been completed. Single-family houses, rented apartments, a \"Creative Village\" for creative people and a rehabilitation clinic have been built here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Tip:<\/strong> Take a look at everything from above. A 300-metre-long treetop path <\/strong>leads you 23 metres above the ruins of buildings overgrown with trees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    \"Badehaus
    Bathhouse of the men's sanatorium<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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    \"Das
    The Whitney Houston House in the Beelitz sanatoriums<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

    Visit: <\/strong>You can visit the sanatoriums in guided tours from Go2Know. As the houses are gradually being renovated, fewer and fewer houses are open for tours. You can also visit the associated combined heat and power plant<\/strong> in guided tours by the F\u00f6rderverein Heiz-Kraft-Werk e.V.
    Directions to get there:<\/strong> Take the Regional Express RE 7 to the stop Beelitz-Heilst\u00e4tten. By car, take the A9 motorway to the Beelitz-Heilst\u00e4tten\/Fichtenwalde exit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    #4 Listening Station Teufelsberg - Street Art Mecca & Lost Place in Berlin<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Three white spheres stand out against the dense green leaves of the Grunewald. They can be seen from every vantage point in the city and in doing so shape the silhouette of Berlin. Like a fortress, they are enthroned on the second highest point of Berlin, the 120.1-meter-high Teufelsberg. It is a place of history and art. A lost place full of colour and creativity<\/strong>. Because the former listening station has developed into the largest street art gallery in Europe<\/strong> . In my separate article about the Listening station at the Teufelsberg in Berlin<\/strong><\/a> you will find out everything you need to know before your visit. You will also find many great photos of this very special place in the middle of Grunewald.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Tip: How about a guided tour incl. shuttle to the former listening station* <\/a>at Teufelsberg?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    \"Street
    The abandoned place in Grunewald has been transformed into Berlin's largest street art gallery.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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    \"Verlassener
    One of the three radomes from the former listening station at Teufelsberg Berlin.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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    How do I tell my camera?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    You are sometimes not sure how to get your camera to take the shots the way you want it to? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Karin and Markus from Fotonomaden explain it step by step in their online course* or in their 1:1 coaching* (sorry, only in German).<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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