Ordensburg Vogelsang

About

Ordensburg Vogelsang is a former Nazi complex located within the former military training area of Vogelsang in the Eifel National Park in North Rhine-Westphalia. The landmarked and fully preserved complex was used by the Nazi Party between 1936 and 1939 as an educational centre for future leaders. Since 1 January 2006 the area has been open to visitors. It is one of the largest architectural relics of Nazi Germany. The total area of the listed buildings is 50,000 m2.

In a 1933 speech in Bernau near Berlin, Adolf Hitler demanded that new schools be built for children of the leaders of the Nazi Party. The task was given to Robert Ley, the "Reichsorganisationsleiter" (literally: Reich Organisational Leader) of the NSDAP, who undertook the construction and operation of four educational camps ( NS-Ordensburgen, literally "Castles of the Nazi military order"):

- A fourth one was planned at (the historical) Ordensburg Marienburg, in West Prussia. The construction of Ordensburg Vogelsang, most of which lies within the borough of Schleiden, was financed by expropriating trade unions and employers' associations. The contract for planning the Krössinsee and Vogelsang projects went to Cologne architect, Clemens Klotz.

The three buildings in the Eifel have been known as the "NS-Ordensburg" since 1935. The first phase of the project was the construction of the Vogelsang 'Castle', which with up to 1,500 workers took only two years. Several much bigger buildings were also planned, such as a huge library to be called the "House of Knowledge" ( Haus des Wissens ) measuring 100 metres by 300 metres, a " Kraft durch Freude " hotel with 2000 beds, and the biggest sports facilities in Europe. Construction at the site halted on the outbreak of war.

- the entry area with gate and two towers (almost completed)

- the "House of Knowledge" ( Haus des Wissens ) (only the foundation walls completed)

- the "Community House" ( Gemeinschaftshaus ) with "Adlerhof" (literally translated: "eagle's yard"), tower, east wing and west wing (completed, partly destroyed in the war)

- ten "Kameradschaftshäuser" (literally 'comradeship-houses') for 50 pupils each (completed, partly destroyed in the war)

- four "Hundertschafthäuser" (literally 'houses for one hundred') for 100 pupils each (completed)

- the Thingplatz as event stage (completed)

- sports facilities with tribune, gymnasium and indoor swimming pool (completed)

- the torch bearer ( Feuermal Fackelträger ) (completed)

- the "House of female employees" (completed)

Most of the sculptures in Vogelsang - "Fackelträger" (torch bearer), "Der deutsche Mensch" (The German Man), "Adler" (Eagle) and the "Sportlerrelief" (sportsmen-relief) - were created by Willy Meller. The wood-sculpture "Der deutsche Mensch" disappeared in 1945. The other sculptures have been preserved, but are partly damaged.

After a visit by Adolf Hitler in 1937, Doric pillars without any static function were added to the entrance gate. According to reports, the initiative for that came from Hitler himself.

Willy Meller: equestrian relief at the main gate

Willy Meller: Sportlerrelief (sportsmen-relief)

Willy Meller: Fackelträger (torch bearer) at the Sonnenwendplatz (solstice place)

Inscription: You are the torch bearers of the nation; You carry on the light of the spirit in the fight for (Adolf Hitler (unreadable))

Educational Castle of the NSDAP since 1936