abandoned places -

Monkey Grove and Urbex Adventures in a Sanatorium and Monastery –Fes surroundings

Gosia — Sun, 10 Aug 2025 16:30:53 +0000

A monkey grove and urbex in a sanatorium and monastery – these three places are located not far from the famous city of Fez. Just a short trip outside the city and you’ll find scenery straight out of a B-movie horror movie, a nature documentary, or… a banana commercial. If you have a penchant for abandoned, strange, and slightly eerie places, and you’re not afraid of meeting a poker-faced monkey, then you absolutely must see these three unique places. Abandoned Tuberculosis Sanatorium – Ben Smim A hidden gem for any urban exploration aficionado, this old TB sanatorium sits deep in the forest near the village of Ben Smim. The road leading there meanders through scenic green landscapes, with the vast Michlifen dam reservoir looming in the distance. It might seem like the road leads to a charming resort, perfectly integrated into its natural surroundings. Instead, an eight-floor concrete complex looms on the horizon, making it the perfect setting for a B-film about a haunted clinic. The sanatorium was established in 1955 and operated vigorously until 1965, when it was taken over by the state. As you can see, state interference in something that functions efficiently, regardless of latitude, ends the same way 😀 It took the Moroccan government only 10 years to put an end to this facility. After its closure, the building was abandoned and looted to the ground. Furniture, medical equipment, and anything that could be carried off were gone. The interiors are dilapidated, but the atmosphere of a bygone era is still palpable, especially when you hear slamming windows and creaking doors… Cèdre Gouraud – the Monkey Grove Mafia Near the sanatorium lies a unique attraction – the “Monkey Grove,” where, for a change, the main characters are monkeys. At first glance, you might think it’s a unique spot. The Middle Atlas Mountains, towering cedar trees, and wildlife – a scene straight out of National Geographic. However, as soon as you get out of the car, you realize that a rather effective cooperation is at work here. Suddenly… a monkey tugs at your pants, staring deeply into your eyes with utter determination. Being primates, you understand each other without words; subconsciously, you know he’s asking, “Where are my peanuts?” – a passive-aggressive, but in a simian style. And that’s when vendors appear with a full assortment of monkey delicacies. What’s more interesting is that the monkeys know how to behave and are very sociable. So it’s best to bring your own provisions, and I might add that bananas are the most popular here😉 Tioumliline – The Rebel Monastery The third attraction in this bizarre triangle is Tioumliline – an abandoned monastery with a political past. “Tioumliline” means “white stones”, and it was founded in 1952 by Benedictine monks, who set up a clinic and a school here. All was going well until the monks decided to take sides in Morocco’s independence struggle. After Morocco gained independence, the monks doubled down on their activism, which made them a bit of a headache for the new authorities. Eventually, in 1968, the monastery was shut down. But it didn’t fade into complete obscurity – in 2009, it starred in the film Of Gods and Men, gaining a second life on screen. Although it’s currently closed and undergoing renovations, it’s still worth a quick stopover if you’re driving south from Fes. The surroundings are peaceful, the history spicy, and it’s got that “forbidden” urbex charm. The area around Fes is more than just a pitstop en route to the south. It’s a chance to dive into the offbeat, the abandoned, and the bizarre – the kind of Morocco that doesn’t make it into glossy travel brochures. A derelict sanatorium, a politically active monastery, and a monkey-run cedar forest. Sounds like a fever dream? Maybe. But it’s exactly these odd combos that make for the best stories.

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“The Hills Have Eyes” Gas Station – Moroccan Horrorwood

Gosia — Sun, 29 Jun 2025 09:59:44 +0000

At first glance, it’s just a rusty old gas station in the middle of nowhere. But get a little closer, and suddenly you feel as if you were participating in a B-grade horror film. And not without reason – this is the actual filming location of The Hills Have Eyes (2006), a remake of the 1977 classic of the same name.To be honest, I haven’t watched either version. However, visiting the abandoned set was unsettling enough on its own 😅. The station is located near the town of Ouarzazate, often dubbed the “Hollywood of Morocco.” American filmmakers fell in love with this place – it’s basically like sunny California but on a budget.Fun fact: movie sets built in Morocco are often just left behind in the desert after filming. No one bothers to clean up the props or tear down the decorations. It’s a perfect environment for urban exploration fans. The station is located in the middle of absolute nowhere – no signs of civilization, just a barren, mountainous, semi-desert landscape. From the distance, it looks like run-down gas station but peek through the window, and things get creepy. Dust-covered cans, glass jars, faded posters from the ’60s, peeling paint on the walls – all of it adds up to a seriously eerie vibe. Needless to say, you won’t fill your tank here. In the abandoned garage next door, you’ll find scattered props, old tires, and tools that I’d rather not know how they were used in the film. The area is “decorated” with gutted, rusting American cars – perfect for an apocalyptic photo shoot (or another horror movie). A dark atmosphere is also created by dolls hanging on the tree. Even though it’s been almost 20 years since the movie came out, the station is still in surprisingly good shape. It may not be a high-class monument, but it is definitely a place worth seeing that is not offered by travel agencies.

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Borne Sulinowo – Officer’s House: Forgotten History

Gosia — Sun, 02 Feb 2025 15:13:31 +0000

Borne Sulinowo is a town full of mysteries, once difficult to find on the map of Poland. Its existence was a closely guarded secret. The history of this place begins in the years 1933-1939, when the Third Reich started to displace the local inhabitants to build a military base and training ground here. Between 1934 and 1937, the Pomeranian Wall (Pommernsellung) was constructed, which was part of the fortifications on the eastern border of the Third Reich. In the garrison Groß Born, as Borne Sulinowo was called at the time, units of Heinz Guderian’s armoured division were stationed. Guderian was a well-known military theorist and the author of the book “Achtung – Panzer!” which presented the concept of “blitzkrieg.” Interestingly, training exercises for Afrika Korps units were also held here, another place of training in Poland was also the Błedowska Desert. At that time, the Officer’s House was also established, serving as a training center. The Officer’s House was officially opened by Adolf Hitler on August 18, 1938. In addition to the training facilities, the building housed an officers’ casino and a concert hall intended for special ceremonies. There was also a restaurant, which offered an incredible view of Lake Pile. Although the Officer’s House still looks impressive from a distance, up close, its advanced decomposition is evident. For me, this is an advantage, as it makes the place more interesting to explore. However, from a historical and architectural perspective, it’s sad to see such a valuable monument falling into ruin. In 2010, a fire destroyed a large part of the building, including the roof of the concert hall. Further damage was caused by nature. Despite the ongoing decay, the Officer’s House still makes an incredible impression. Exploring its interiors, one can imagine what it looked like in its heyday. The glass ceiling, though partially collapsed, still looks impressive. The history of Borne Sulinowo does not end with the fall of the Third Reich. After the war, this area was taken over by the Red Army, and its existence was kept a strict secret. In the nearby village of Brzezino-Kolonia, a Soviet missile base was located. There was also the mysterious facility 3002, about which I wrote about here. The Officer’s House isn’t the only attraction in Borne Sulinowo. The area is dotted with many former German bunkers. Another interesting place is Klomino, a ghost town. During the Third Reich, there was a prisoner-of-war camp here, holding Poles, French, and Russians. After the war, when the area was taken over by the Red Army, the camp was used to detain German soldiers. It was later transformed into a military base, which operated until 1992. Since then, Klomino has never been inhabited, and the buildings have gradually been demolished. Currently, the town is not a major attraction because there’s very little left. Near Borne, in the forest along the road towards Szczecinek, there’s another interesting place—a Soviet military cemetery. The cemetery was established right after the Red Army occupied these areas and created a military base in 1945. It functioned until 1992, when the base was closed. It’s a civil-military cemetery, so civilians who served the secret military base and their families are also buried there. Most of the burials took place between 1945 and 1967. After 1970, only the children of the military base personnel were buried there. The cemetery contains about 350 graves, nearly half of which are anonymous. We can only speculate who lies in these unmarked graves. They were likely soldiers of the 6th Guards Vitebsk-Novgorod Mechanized Division, stationed in Borne Sulinowo. There was no war at the time, and the authorities probably did not want to mar the statistics with fatal accidents during exercises. It is also suspected that the anonymous graves belong to deserters. In 2007, after the renovation of the cemetery, the bodies of Soviet soldiers from closed cemeteries in Kolobrzeg and Bialogard were moved here. Since then, the official name of the cemetery has been “Cemetery of the Soldiers of the Northern Group of Forces of the Russian Federation and Their Families in Borne Sulinowo.” However, locals call it the “cemetery with the PPSh.” This name comes from the grave of Ivan Paddubny, marked with a monument of a PPSh—a Soviet submachine gun. The monument was relocated from the center of Borne Sulinowo after Poland regained independence. While the history of the PPSh is known, the fate of the soldier remains a mystery. It is suspected that he died in a shooting in the village of Kragi in 1946. The circumstances of this incident are unknown, but the fact that it occurred a year after the end of the war is surprising.

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Abandoned chapel – Girl off the Trail

Gosia — Sat, 14 Dec 2024 16:40:10 +0000

The chapel was built in the early 20th century. At first glance, its appearance suggests it’s a Catholic, but in reality, it belongs to the Mariavites. Mariavitism emerged from the Roman Catholic Church in 1906 and is closer to Orthodoxy Church. Currently, it’s estimated that around 20,000 people in Poland practise this religion. The chapel looks quite modest, similar to wooden constructions often seen in places like the Bieszczady Mountains. However, its discreetness is actually an advantage, allowing it to remain unnoticed. Although a lot of time has passed, the chapel makes an amazing impression. White and blue wooden walls give it a celestial character. Stained glass windows create a fascinating play of light depending on the time of day. Wooden columns add to its charm. Many artifacts have been preserved on-site, which is probably why the chapel doesn’t resemble a typical urbex location. On the altar, there are candle holders and vases with artificial flowers that contrast with the white walls. There’s also an open confessional located next to the altar. A picturesque view of the chapel can be seen from the choir balcony accessed by wooden stairs. Just behind the altar is the entrance to a residential part, which is quite dilapidated. Only a bed with bed linen has remained there. Do you like the post? Find out more here!

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Northern Ireland – abandoned places

Gosia — Sat, 15 Jun 2024 15:09:21 +0000

From the 19th century to the early 20th century, Northern Ireland was the center of the textile industry. A reminder of these times are numerous factories that have been preserved in relatively good condition to this day. What’s more interesting, although access to these places is easy, they aren’t demolished. The only factors shaping their unique appearance are the passage of time and nature, which takes control of these places from year to year. The first industrial complex I visited was built in the 1820s. In its heyday, the main product produced in this factory was linen. This facility makes an amazing impression due to its interesting industrial architecture. Tall chimneys, characteristic red brick and windows give an idea of the scale of this place. Inside you can see huge halls where are the remains of textiles. Remnants of lighting hang from the ceiling, and the windows are decorated with greenery. A little further there’s another textile industry facility. This factory was built only 20 years later than the previous one. In its heyday, it reportedly employed over 15,000 workers. Enough yarn was produced here in a week to circle the Earth three times. Moreover, the yarn was exported from here all over the world, even to such distant countries as Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. During World War II, the facility served as a secret training centre. At that time, British, Belgian and American soldiers were staying here. Due to heavy competition from China, the factory was finally closed in 1986. A third, equally large factory was also established in a similar period. Unfortunately, it was impossible to get inside. Northern Ireland is famous not only for its abandoned factories. The abandoned theatre made an incredible impression on me. Although it was created only 50 years ago, it’s currently in an advanced state of decomposition. I honestly admit that during the exploration I felt quite insecure walking on the wooden floor that was collapsing. The beautiful ornate ceiling with a glass chandelier, despite being impressive, seemed as if it was about to collapse on my head. However, it wasn’t just an impression. You can see in the photos that it is slightly tilted. Its damage probably accelerated the degradation of this place. There is a lot of water inside the building, which negatively affects wooden elements. Another interesting place that Northern Ireland has to offer is an abandoned village, located in the picturesque surroundings of the mountains. Walking between the farms, you can travel back in time and see what rural life was like in Ireland in the 19th century. Once upon a time, the village was self-sufficient, people were planting crops and fishing. However, isolation and lack of prospects for young generations resulted in emigration. In the mid-20th century, it had only six inhabitants. The last person to survive here until 2013 was a monk from a nearby abbey. It doesn’t seem surprising, who else could live like a hermit? Apparently, scenes from the famous Game of Thrones series were filmed in the village.

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Abandoned Cinema

Gosia — Mon, 01 Apr 2024 09:11:56 +0000

The abandoned cinema used to be an important cultural and entertainment centre of the city, but today it’s falling into ruin. The building was built between 1924 and 1929. Initially, it was intended to serve as a fire brigade facility. There was a fire station along with a practice room for the orchestra. However, right after its construction, the facility was leased and operated as a cinema until World War II. At that time, theatre performances and special events were also organized there. During the war, it was taken over by the Germans and returned to the fire brigade in 1946. In the 1980s, the building was closed due to the fire brigade’s financial problems. The cinema was taken over by the city, which, however, didn’t use it in any way. Currently, the building is still adjacent to the fire brigade station. On the ground floor you can see a spacious hall with ticket offices. One of the rooms resembles a kitchen, so there must also have been a restaurant. The main attraction of the cinema is, of course, the auditorium which could accommodate 500 spectators. Despite the passage of time, it still looks quite attractive. A row of chairs, the characteristic apricot colour of the walls and a meaningful plaque right under the stage take back to the times when performances took place there. Going up the staircase, you can also get to the balcony and the attic. While from the balcony you can see the stage from an interesting perspective, the attic doesn’t look so attractive. An additional attraction is the technical room where you can see old projectors. Do you like the post? Check more urbex spots here!

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Urbex – Lebanon, Girl off the trail…

Gosia — Fri, 11 Aug 2023 18:02:15 +0000

Urbex (urban exploration) is a way of exploring places that are abandoned and often inaccessible. I must admit that for some time this way of sightseeing has dominated my travels. Why urbex? I could find many reasons, but what excites me the most is discovering the history of inaccessible places piece by piece and the adrenaline rush associated with it. Abandoned places are unique and there’s an exceptional beauty in their slow decay. What’s more, the time causes their constant change, which makes each visit a different experience. These are the reasons why I decided to share my discoveries with you. I start the series with Lebanon – my last trip. Lebanon is a unique country for me, while the urbex there has an additional dimension. Abandoned buildings, religious and entertainment facilities show the turbulent history of Lebanon, as well as reflect its current dramatic economic situation. The largest number of such places, mainly due to urban development, can be found in Beirut. The Egg The most characteristic abandoned building in Beirut is the so-called the Egg, located in the very center of the city, next to the Martyrs’ Square and the Mohammed Amin Mosque. The Egg was to be part of a larger shopping complex. Its construction began in 1965, but was not completed due to the outbreak of the Civil War. During the Civil War, the building stood on the border of the eastern Muslim and western Christian parts. Numerous bullet marks, which can be seen nowadays are the remnants of the bloody fights. For many years, the Egg remained unused, until October 2019, when a series of protests broke out in Lebanon, sparked by general public discontent related to the ubiquitous corruption in the government and the progressing economic crisis. At that time, the cinema building was used to organize rallies and lectures. Le Grand Teatre Near the Egg there’s another symbol of heavy fighting during the Civil War – the Grand Theater. It was opened in 1929 and hosted numerous performances and film productions on its stage over the years. From 1960, it served only as a cinema and later during the Lebanese Civil War, it was used as a hospital. Unfortunately, being right on the border of the demarcation line, it was significantly damaged during the fighting. For that reason, it was abandoned before the end of the Civil War. It remains undeveloped to this day. Due to the fence, this place is currently not open to the public. Saint George Hotel It was built in 1920. It’s a symbol of Lebanon’s golden times. The hotel gained popularity due to its prime location in the center of Beirut, right on the Mediterranean coast, and its luxurious design. In the 70s, it was visited by such stars as Brigitte Bardot, Marlon Brando and Elizabeth Taylor. Among its guests were also heads of state and spies from both sides of the Cold War. Unfortunately, during the Lebanese Civil War, it shared the fate of many other buildings in the area. It was closed at its beginning, i.e. in 1975. In the first years of the war, it took part in the so-called The Battle of Hotels, in which opposition forces fought to gain control over strategically located facilities. Then it was occupied by the Syrian army until 1990. The planned reconstruction of the hotel after the war didn’t materialize due to a court dispute between the owner of the hotel and the public-private organization Solidere, planning to take over real estate in Beirut, and then led by Prime Minister Rafic Hariri. Ironically, in 2005, Hariri was murdered in a terrorist attack outside the Saint George Hotel. A bomb detonated just before its entrance caused additional damage to the façade. To this day, the hotel stands desolated, only the swimming pool and the restaurant have been made available for public use. Bechara El Khoury Palace While being in the Zokak el-Blat district, it is worth visiting the Bechara El Khoury Palace. It was built around 1870 when Lebanon was within the borders of the Ottoman Empire. Despite the passage of time, the palace still makes an amazing impression. Decorations on the ceilings, soaring vaults and columns give an image of its past glory. The remains of the blue ceiling and the blue façade contrasting with the lush greenery also look interesting. The progressing degradation of this place gives it a unique character, unfortunately, you can see with the naked eye that its days are numbered. Despite its poor technical condition, the palace is not completely abandoned. There’s a carpentry workshop on the ground floor. To get to the upper floor, you just need to smile nicely to its owner. This is why I love Lebanon. While in Europe the access to such a place would be subject to a number of regulations of the monument conservator, occupational health and safety or construction inspection, while in Lebanon everything is possible. No one sees a problem with the functioning of a workshop in a ruined building, not to mention the possibility of visiting it. Pigeons’ Rocks – Raouche The last place in Beirut I visited by accident, being in the area of Pigeon Rocks. Watching the amazing sunset, I saw an abandoned restaurant on the other side. Although the restaurant itself is not an interesting place to explore, itturned out to be an excellent vantage point on the Pigeons’ Rocks. Safar An interesting building, although currently unavailable to the public, is the Safar Grand Hotel in Safar. It was built in 1892. Inside, there was the first casino in Lebanon, a cinema, a nightclub and a bar. The hotel hosted the richest guests from the Arab world. There’s also an abandoned railway station nearby, built at the same time. Unfortunately, the building is in a rather dilapidated condition. Synagogue in Bhamodoun An amazing and unique religious building in Lebanon is the abandoned synagogue in the city of Bhamdoun. It was built in 1922 and was one of the four large synagogues in Lebanon. It is also called the Last Temple belonging to the Jewish community. It was built for the needs of Jews who, before the outbreak of the Civil War, spent holidays there. The synagogue was closed in 1976 when the Syrian army entered Lebanon and reached the borders of Bhamdoun. Near the Synagogue, you can see Villa Donna Maria, built in 1909. Unfortunately, during my visit, it turned out that the building is under reconstruction. Hotel Al Kassouf An interesting abandoned hotel can also be seen in the mountain town of Dhour El Choueir, located about 30 km west of Beirut. The imposing building, built in 1930, once hosted the most distinguished guests, including the Lebanese president. In 1935, the first beauty contest “Miss Lebanon” was held here. Unfortunately, it was badly damaged during the Civil War. Aquarium in Batorun Driving north from Beirut, in the town of Batorun, there’s an abandoned building of an unfinished aquarium. Construction began in 1968, but was stopped after a few years. I don’t think I need to add what event prevented further work… Although access to the building is prohibited, it does not mean that it’s not possible to get into? The lack of any fence allows free entry. The walls of the building are covered with various murals. A circular staircase leads to the terrace, which offers an interesting view of the city and the beach. From the top of the aquarium, you can also see the unfinished planetarium building. The planetarium is currently located next to a private property, therefore its exploration is not possible. Right next to the aquarium, there’s a complex of an abandoned educational center with a hotel section. The building is in excellent condition and doesn’t look like completely abandoned. However, I checked all the floors and I can assure you that there are no signs of any life there ? I’m convinced that Lebanon is full of amazing abandoned places that have not yet been discovered. Urbex in this country allows you to discover its difficult history, and abandoned buildings are often a symbol of the dramatic experiences of the Lebanese people. These places are something tangible and allow you to see history with your own eyes, in my opinion they speak better to the imagination than the best museums. Do you like this post? Find out more here. 🙂

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Armenia – places you won’t forget, part I

Gosia — Wed, 03 Mar 2021 17:28:21 +0000

Armenia, a country in the shadow of Georgia is still sort of being skipped by mass tourism. Actually, it was one of the many reasons why I wanted to see it so much. I’ve been to Georgia twice and I like this country in my own perverse way, although the last visit left no illusions. Tourism in Georgia is becoming a money-making machine and it would be nothing wrong if this country was also betting on the quality of the services offered. Meanwhile, Armenia is an excellent alternative to commercial Georgia. Why is that? Firstly, I won’t hide, it’s cheap, secondly it’s close to us in a cultural way, thirdly it’s authentic, but most of all it’s beautiful! ? As a tourist destination, Armenia is mostly famous for its many old monasteries. Anyway, there’s no surprise because it was the first country to adopt Christianity as a state religion, around 301 AD. For this reason, it is mainly identified with churches and monasteries, which is a bit unfair. Beyond interesting sacred buildings, this country is famous for its wonderful landscapes and other surprising monuments. First stop – emerald Lake Sevan, also known as the Armenian sea, as Armenia does not have access to any bigger water reservoir. It’s situated at an altitude of over 1900 m above sea level and is among the highest located lakes in the world. Lake Sevan is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Armenia, because it is just over 60 km from the capital – Yerevan. The color of the water has an amazing blue color, and the lake is famous for the so-called Sevan trout, here called ′′ ishxan”. The best spot to see Lake Sevan is a city of the same name. Although there are many catering points and hotels, not everyone can enjoy this place. At first glance you can see that the city is very poor and the residents live here mainly on tourism, which blooms during the summer. On the other hand, I must admit that Sevan captivated me due to many abandoned buildings and its industrial character ? There’s also a true gem near Sevan, an abandoned wagon, located just next to the road along the lake. On the other hand, the main spot that attracts tourists to Sevan is located right next to the Sevanavank Peninsula, which owes its name to the historic monastery, dating back to the 9th century. It is made of dark volcanic rock, which is why it’s also called the Black Monastery in Armenian. Its interior is typical of all Armenian sacral buildings. Small windows and dark walls create an interesting atmosphere of this place. Near the monastery there’s an interesting building, unknown to mass tourism – the Sevan Writer s’ Resort. The building makes an incredible impression, because of its interesting, cosmic look. At first glance, it looks as if it were an abandoned, unfinished, modern construction. Meanwhile, the beginnings of the House of Writers date back to the 30’s in 20th century. At the time, two outstanding architects of soviet avant-garde: Mikael Mazmanyan and Gevorg Kochar, built the first part of the building. The appearance of the house was so capitalistically awfull that Stalin decided to send them to Siberia. However, the architects did not give up, after returning from the gulag, after Stalin’s death, they finished the construction in 1965. This time, they designed an even more futuristic project – a flying saucer hung over the lake. The building doesn’t look like futuristic anymore, it reminds more socialism times. On the other hand, it’s worth to look there, because the saucer houses a restaurant, which is maybe not so much famous for its great food, but amazing views ? Driving south of Sevan Lake, the road is getting windier, and the countryside is becoming increasingly mountainous. The scenery of the Vardenis mountains in the distance and the space are impressive. The route leads through the Selim Pass, which is considered one of the most spectacular car routes in Armenia. However, amazing views are not the only reason why you should go there. Slightly below the highest point of the pass – Vayots Dzor, you can visit Orbelian’s Caravanserai, also known as Selim Caravanserai, built in 1332. Caravanserais are buildings known especially from Arab countries and former Persia. In Persian, the word caravanserai means a caravan inn. In the old times they were some kind of caravan shelters located on commercial routes. Currently, the caravanserai is an abandoned building. While entering there I felt the thrill, primarily because the entrance resembled me an old catacomb. However, this was just a good introduction of what I could see inside. Desolate, dark, raw interior with excellent acoustics, creates a rather psychedelic vibe. Heading further south towards Nagorno Karabakh, which I wrote about here, it’s worth taking a look at Karahunj, also known as the Armenian Stonehenge. I remember this road to this day, amazing mountain landscapes, small lakes and interesting compositions of clouds, it was something incredible. Karahunj is located near the city of Sisjan, right next to the M2 route. However, Armenian Stonehenge is not a popular tourist attraction at all. There is no tourist infrastructure on the spot, like parking, ticket box or gift shop, anyway, for sure you won’t see there a living soul as far as the eye can see. Karahundj is also known as Zorac (Zorats) Karer, which means ′′ stones full of power “. It consists of a dozen decorated rock blocks. The mystery of this place has not been discovered yet. However, some researchers say that it may have been used as an astronomical observatory or an ancient necropolis. Whatever the purpose of this place was, it’s still impressive. To be continued…

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Berlin in ruins part II, Teufelsberg – Devil’s Hill

Gosia — Mon, 16 Mar 2020 17:17:50 +0000

In the competition for the weirdest place in Berlin, Teufelsberg, which in translation means – Devil’s Hill is definitely on the podium. The attractiveness of Teufelsberg was initially noticed by the Nazis. Under the direction of Albert Speer – Hitler’s architect, the construction of the military academy began on this site. The investment wasn’t completed due to the war, which took most of the expenses. After the war, the Allies attempts to blow up a solid German construction, ended with covering it with the debris, transported form bombarded Berlin. As a result, a pretty large 80-meters hill – the highest point in Berlin, was created. Initially, it was considered to be a perfect location for the ski slope, but after some time the joy of skiers came to an end. The beautiful view of Berlin attracted American and British attention, who set up a spy station here. It’s said that the National Security Agency (NSA), eavesdropped their neighbors from the Eastern Block, using radars located in characteristic 5 domes, reaching 10 meters of diameter. Some people say that Teufelsberg was a part of ECHELON – a global electronic intelligence network. Reportedly, at the peak of activity, there were about 1500 British and American spies working here. The station had been operating for more than 30 years, as it was only in 1992 when the Americans decided to pack their toys and leave this place. Spiritual renewal – a visit to the devil? After the German unity, there were many ideas on how to develop Teufelsberg, but none of them have been implemented. Even David Lynch was interested in Devil’s Mountain. He wanted to create a meditation center here, but he didn’t get permission from the authorities to run this project. Finally, Teufelsberg was handed over to the company that organizes tours an various events here. Details and admission fees can be found here. Characteristic domes are a thing of the past, however, they are still the ones that make this place unique. The white canvas that used to cover them, today makes a characteristic rustling sound in the wind. It really gave me the creeps. Murals, as well as various sculptures and installations, make an amazing impression. How to get to Teufelsberg? Car is the best option to get there. You can park on one of the 2 car parks, from which you can take the path through the forest to the top of the hill. To get there by public transport you need to get on the S-Bahn S3, S5, S75 and get off at the Berlin-Grunewald Station. From there you should follow Dauerwaldweg st. and then the Harbigstrasse st. from which you should turn right to the parking lot. From there leads the above mentioned path to the top of the hill.

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