Wandlitz Forest Estate

Memorials of recent German history
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p.P. = per person, p.P./N = per person / night, p.E./N = per unit / night, EZ = Single room, DZ = double room, FeWo = holiday home, App. = apartment, Suite = suite, FR = Breakfast, HP = half board, VP = full board
Rarely has a question mark been more justified: "Einzug ins Paradies?" (moving into paradise?) was the title of the GDR television youth programme "Elf99" on November 23, 1989 reporting on the Wandlitz forest estate. The recordings from the housing estate for SED politburo members showed journalists in search for something spectacular who finally inspect the shower fittings in an abandoned building. It is difficult to understand how these reports managed to stoke an intense debate on abuse of power.
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  • Eingangstor Waldsiedlung Wandlitz, Foto: ZZF / Hans - Hermann Hertle
  • Eingangstor Waldsiedlung Wandlitz, Foto: BStU, MfS, HA PS / FO / Nr. 116, Bild 26
  • Wohnhaus der Honeckers, Foto: ZZF / Hans - Hermann Hertle
In 1989, some of the top functionaries of the GDR had been living in the complex 25 kilometres from the centre of Berlin for almost 30 years. In 1958 the area's remoteness was decisive in the decision to move from Pankow to Wandlitz. The SED functionaries lived in the 23 houses of the "Innenring" (the inner ring) with their families, shielded from the outside world . In addition to an exclusive cultural centre, the complex also had a "Ladenkombinat" shop which sold a wide range of western products. The neighbouring "Außenring" (outer ring) was home to staff facilities and utility facilities. At the end, 650 Stasi members were responsible for the administration of the area and for looking after the Politburo members who lived here.

For the people in the GDR the name "Wandlitz" was synonymous with the elitist lifestyle of the SED leadership and how removed they were from everyday life in the GDR precisely because the complex was so remote and inaccessible. The opening up of the settlement was therefore one of the decisive events of the peaceful revolution. At the end of 1989, the GDR Council of Ministers handed over these spacious grounds to the ministry of health, which started extensive renovations. The area has been under monument protection since June 2017 and is used by a rehabilitation facility. Information panels on the grounds provide guidance.

Literature:
  • Jürgen Danyel/Elke Kimmel, Waldsiedlung Wandlitz. Eine Landschaft der Macht, Berlin 2016
  • Elke Kimmel/Claudia Schmid-Rathjen, Waldsiedlung Wandlitz. Eine Region und die Staatsmacht, Berlin 2016

Continue readingcollapse
Rarely has a question mark been more justified: "Einzug ins Paradies?" (moving into paradise?) was the title of the GDR television youth programme "Elf99" on November 23, 1989 reporting on the Wandlitz forest estate. The recordings from the housing estate for SED politburo members showed journalists in search for something spectacular who finally inspect the shower fittings in an abandoned building. It is difficult to understand how these reports managed to stoke an intense debate on abuse of power.
Continue readingcollapse
  • Eingangstor Waldsiedlung Wandlitz, Foto: ZZF / Hans - Hermann Hertle
  • Eingangstor Waldsiedlung Wandlitz, Foto: BStU, MfS, HA PS / FO / Nr. 116, Bild 26
  • Wohnhaus der Honeckers, Foto: ZZF / Hans - Hermann Hertle
In 1989, some of the top functionaries of the GDR had been living in the complex 25 kilometres from the centre of Berlin for almost 30 years. In 1958 the area's remoteness was decisive in the decision to move from Pankow to Wandlitz. The SED functionaries lived in the 23 houses of the "Innenring" (the inner ring) with their families, shielded from the outside world . In addition to an exclusive cultural centre, the complex also had a "Ladenkombinat" shop which sold a wide range of western products. The neighbouring "Außenring" (outer ring) was home to staff facilities and utility facilities. At the end, 650 Stasi members were responsible for the administration of the area and for looking after the Politburo members who lived here.

For the people in the GDR the name "Wandlitz" was synonymous with the elitist lifestyle of the SED leadership and how removed they were from everyday life in the GDR precisely because the complex was so remote and inaccessible. The opening up of the settlement was therefore one of the decisive events of the peaceful revolution. At the end of 1989, the GDR Council of Ministers handed over these spacious grounds to the ministry of health, which started extensive renovations. The area has been under monument protection since June 2017 and is used by a rehabilitation facility. Information panels on the grounds provide guidance.

Literature:
  • Jürgen Danyel/Elke Kimmel, Waldsiedlung Wandlitz. Eine Landschaft der Macht, Berlin 2016
  • Elke Kimmel/Claudia Schmid-Rathjen, Waldsiedlung Wandlitz. Eine Region und die Staatsmacht, Berlin 2016

Continue readingcollapse

Arrival planner

Brandenburgallee 1

16321 Bernau bei Berlin

Weather Today, 11. 9.

16 17
light rain

  • Friday
    13 21
  • Saturday
    11 21

Tourist information

WITO Barnim GmbH

Alfred-Nobel-Str. 1
16225 Eberswalde

Tel.: +49 (0) 3334-59100
Fax: +49 (0) 3334-59222

Weather Today, 11. 9.

16 17
light rain

  • Friday
    13 21
  • Saturday
    11 21

All information, times and prices are regularly checked and updated. Nevertheless, we can not guarantee the accuracy of the data. We recommend that you inquire about the current status by phone / e-mail or via the provider's website before your visit.