Ordensburg Vogelsang
Encyclopedia
Ordensburg Vogelsang is a former national socialist estate placed at the former military
training area in the national park
Eifel
in North Rhine-Westphalia
. The landmarked and completely preserved estate was used by the National Socialists
between 1936 and 1939 as an educational centre for future leaders. Since 1 January 2006 the area is open to visitors. It is one of the largest architectural relics of National Socialism. The gross area of the landmarked buildings is 50,000 m².
near Berlin
, Adolf Hitler
demanded that new schools be built for the children of the leaders of his national socialist German labour party (NSDAP). 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):
A fourth one was planned at (the historic) Ordensburg Marienburg, in West Prussia
The construction of Ordensburg Vogelsang, most of which lies within the district of the town of Schleiden
, was financed by expropriating trade unions and employers' associations. The contract for planning the Krössinsee and Vogelsang projects went to the Cologne architect Clemens Klotz
.
The three buildings at Eifel have been known as "NS-Ordensburg" since 1935. The first phase of the project was the construction of the Castle of Vogelsang, 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.
Overview of the buildings
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.
s moved into Vogelsang a little later, arriving from all over Germany. Most were in their mid twenties, and entrance requirements included a period of probationary party work, perfect physical health, proof of descent, and proof of work and military service.
The daily timetable
Emphases were national socialist race science, geopolitics
and intensive sportive education (especially equitation
). Another emphasis was pilot training, and to accommodate this phase of the curriculum airfields were built at all three Ordensburgen. The Vogelsang Airfield
was built near Walberhof, near the town of Schleiden
-Morsbach.
The Ordensburg Vogelsang was also used as a showplace for political notables.
.
During the interim, Vogelsang hosted a couple of classes of the so-called Adolf-Hitler-Schools. In 1944, a military fitness camp for 15- and 16-year-old members of the Hitler Youth
(Hitler-Jugend) was held there. Allied air raids destroyed some of the buildings, including the east wing and the gymnasium.
-- the swastikas -- were removed.
Military
A military is an organization authorized by its greater society to use lethal force, usually including use of weapons, in defending its country by combating actual or perceived threats. The military may have additional functions of use to its greater society, such as advancing a political agenda e.g...
training area in the national park
National park
A national park is a reserve of natural, semi-natural, or developed land that a sovereign state declares or owns. Although individual nations designate their own national parks differently A national park is a reserve of natural, semi-natural, or developed land that a sovereign state declares or...
Eifel
Eifel
The Eifel is a low mountain range in western Germany and eastern Belgium. It occupies parts of southwestern North Rhine-Westphalia, northwestern Rhineland-Palatinate and the south of the German-speaking Community of Belgium....
in North Rhine-Westphalia
North Rhine-Westphalia
North Rhine-Westphalia is the most populous state of Germany, with four of the country's ten largest cities. The state was formed in 1946 as a merger of the northern Rhineland and Westphalia, both formerly part of Prussia. Its capital is Düsseldorf. The state is currently run by a coalition of the...
. The landmarked and completely preserved estate was used by the National Socialists
National Socialist Party
Parties in various contexts have referred to themselves as National Socialist parties. Because there is no clear definition of national socialism, the term has been used to mean very different things...
between 1936 and 1939 as an educational centre for future leaders. Since 1 January 2006 the area is open to visitors. It is one of the largest architectural relics of National Socialism. The gross area of the landmarked buildings is 50,000 m².
History
Planning and construction since 1933
In a 1933 speech in BernauBernau
Bernau may refer to:*Bernau bei Berlin, a town in Brandenburg, Germany*Bernau am Chiemsee, a municipality in the district of Rosenheim in Bavaria, Germany*Bernau im Schwarzwald, a municipality in Baden-Württemberg, Germany...
near Berlin
Berlin
Berlin is the capital city of Germany and is one of the 16 states of Germany. With a population of 3.45 million people, Berlin is Germany's largest city. It is the second most populous city proper and the seventh most populous urban area in the European Union...
, Adolf Hitler
Adolf Hitler
Adolf Hitler was an Austrian-born German politician and the leader of the National Socialist German Workers Party , commonly referred to as the Nazi Party). He was Chancellor of Germany from 1933 to 1945, and head of state from 1934 to 1945...
demanded that new schools be built for the children of the leaders of his national socialist German labour party (NSDAP). The task was given to Robert Ley
Robert Ley
Robert Ley was a Nazi politician and head of the German Labour Front from 1933 to 1945. He committed suicide while awaiting trial for war crimes.- Early life :...
, the "Reichsorganisationsleiter" (literally: Reich Organisational Leader) of the NSDAP, who undertook the construction and operation of four educational camps (NS-Ordensburgen):
- Ordensburg KrössinseeOrdensburg KrössinseeOrdensburg Krössinsee was placed near the city of Falkenburg in Pomerania, today Złocieniec Poland. It was the first of three NS-Ordensburgen, the educational centers for or cadres of the Nazi Party.- History :...
, in PomeraniaPomeraniaPomerania is a historical region on the south shore of the Baltic Sea. Divided between Germany and Poland, it stretches roughly from the Recknitz River near Stralsund in the West, via the Oder River delta near Szczecin, to the mouth of the Vistula River near Gdańsk in the East... - Ordensburg SonthofenOrdensburg SonthofenThe Generaloberst-Beck-Kaserne are barracks of the armed forces of Germany, the Bundeswehr, in Sonthofen in Oberallgäu.- History :The estate was built in 1934 as NS-Ordensburg Sonthofen by the German Labour Front for the NSDAP.Three NS-Ordensburgen existed:*Ordensburg Krössinsee, in...
, AllgäuAllgäuThe Allgäu is a southern German region in Swabia. It covers the south of Bavarian Swabia and southeastern Baden-Württemberg. The region stretches from the prealpine lands up to the Alps... - Ordensburg Vogelsang, EifelEifelThe Eifel is a low mountain range in western Germany and eastern Belgium. It occupies parts of southwestern North Rhine-Westphalia, northwestern Rhineland-Palatinate and the south of the German-speaking Community of Belgium....
A fourth one was planned at (the historic) Ordensburg Marienburg, in West Prussia
West Prussia
West Prussia was a province of the Kingdom of Prussia from 1773–1824 and 1878–1919/20 which was created out of the earlier Polish province of Royal Prussia...
The construction of Ordensburg Vogelsang, most of which lies within the district of the town of Schleiden
Schleiden
Schleiden is a town in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It lies in the Eifel hills, in the district of Euskirchen, and has 13,957 inhabitants...
, was financed by expropriating trade unions and employers' associations. The contract for planning the Krössinsee and Vogelsang projects went to the Cologne architect Clemens Klotz
Clemens Klotz
Clemens Klotz was one of Adolf Hitler's architects. After beginning his career focusing on residential designs in the Cologne area, Klotz received a series of prestigious commissions from the National Socialist Party's German Labor Front...
.
The three buildings at Eifel have been known as "NS-Ordensburg" since 1935. The first phase of the project was the construction of the Castle of Vogelsang, which with up to 1,500 workers took only two years. Several much bigger buildings were also planned, such as a huge library
Library
In a traditional sense, a library is a large collection of books, and can refer to the place in which the collection is housed. Today, the term can refer to any collection, including digital sources, resources, and services...
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.
Overview of the buildings
- 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 translated: comradeship-houses) for 50 pupils each (completed, partly destroyed in the war)
- four "Hundertschafthäuser" (literally translated: houses of group of one hundred) for 100 pupils each (completed)
- the "Thingstead" (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)
Art
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.
Educational Castle of the NSDAP since 1936
On 24 April 1936, the three Ordensburgen were formally handed over to Adolf Hitler, and the first 500 JunkerJunker
A Junker was a member of the landed nobility of Prussia and eastern Germany. These families were mostly part of the German Uradel and carried on the colonization and Christianization of the northeastern European territories during the medieval Ostsiedlung. The abbreviation of Junker is Jkr...
s moved into Vogelsang a little later, arriving from all over Germany. Most were in their mid twenties, and entrance requirements included a period of probationary party work, perfect physical health, proof of descent, and proof of work and military service.
The daily timetable
- 6:00 early morning exercise
- 7:00 muster
- 8:00 - 10:00 project groups
- 10:00 - 12:00 lecture in the big auditorium
- afternoons sport
- 17:00 - 18:30 project groups
- 22:00 rest
Emphases were national socialist race science, geopolitics
Geopolitics
Geopolitics, from Greek Γη and Πολιτική in broad terms, is a theory that describes the relation between politics and territory whether on local or international scale....
and intensive sportive education (especially equitation
Equitation
Equitation is the art or practice of horse riding or horsemanship.More specifically, equitation may refer to a rider's position while mounted, and encompass a rider's ability to ride correctly and with effective aids. In horse show competition, the rider, rather than the horse is evaluated...
). Another emphasis was pilot training, and to accommodate this phase of the curriculum airfields were built at all three Ordensburgen. The Vogelsang Airfield
Vogelsang Airfield
Vogelsang Airfield is an abandoned World War II military airfield located approximately 3 miles northwest of Schleiden ; approximately 330 miles southwest of Berlin....
was built near Walberhof, near the town of Schleiden
Schleiden
Schleiden is a town in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It lies in the Eifel hills, in the district of Euskirchen, and has 13,957 inhabitants...
-Morsbach.
The Ordensburg Vogelsang was also used as a showplace for political notables.
1939-1945
At the outbreak of the war in September 1939, the Junkers departed and the Castle of Vogelsang was handed over to the German army (Deutsche Wehrmacht), which used it twice for billeting troops: in 1940 during the western campaign, and in December 1944 during the Ardennes offensiveBattle of the Bulge
The Battle of the Bulge was a major German offensive , launched toward the end of World War II through the densely forested Ardennes mountain region of Wallonia in Belgium, hence its French name , and France and...
.
During the interim, Vogelsang hosted a couple of classes of the so-called Adolf-Hitler-Schools. In 1944, a military fitness camp for 15- and 16-year-old members of the Hitler Youth
Hitler Youth
The Hitler Youth was a paramilitary organization of the Nazi Party. It existed from 1922 to 1945. The HJ was the second oldest paramilitary Nazi group, founded one year after its adult counterpart, the Sturmabteilung...
(Hitler-Jugend) was held there. Allied air raids destroyed some of the buildings, including the east wing and the gymnasium.
Use as a military training area since 1946
The buildings destroyed during the war were reconstructed by the Belgian military authorities, and the surviving structures -- reduced to bare brickwork -- acquired a practical use. The foundation walls constructed for the House of Knowledge (Haus des Wissens) were used for the Van Dooren barrack block, and the adjacent basement, originally intended for an auditorium, became a cinema. This cinema has room for over 200 men and it's a real piece of art. Of the decorations, only the emblems of the Third ReichNazi Germany
Nazi Germany , also known as the Third Reich , but officially called German Reich from 1933 to 1943 and Greater German Reich from 26 June 1943 onward, is the name commonly used to refer to the state of Germany from 1933 to 1945, when it was a totalitarian dictatorship ruled by...
-- the swastikas -- were removed.
Civil usage since 2006
Since its period as a military training area came to an end, the former Ordensburg with its huge buildings has been open to civilians since 1 January 2006. It can be visited during daytime. The surrounding area is used for hiking trails. The complex will eventually accommodate the administration of the National Park Eifel, the visitor centre, and an exhibition in the Castle. The "Van Dooren" barrack block will be demolished soon because there's no purpose for the building. the cinema and all the other buildings still exists.Literature
- Ruth Schmitz-Ehmke: Die Ordensburg Vogelsang: Architektur – Bauplastik – Ausstattung. (Landschaftsverband Rheinland - Landeskonservator Rheinland. Arbeitsheft 41) Rheinland-Verlag, Köln. 2003. (2. veränd. und erw. Auflage)
- Hans-Dieter Arntz: Vogelsang - Geschichte der ehemaligen Ordensburg, Helios-Verlag, Aachen 2008, ISBN 978-3-938208-71-7
- Hans-Dieter Arntz: Ordensburg Vogelsang... im Wandel der Zeiten. Helios-Verlag, Aachen 2007, 64 S., ISBN 978-3-938208-51-9
- Hans-Dieter Arntz: Ordensburg Vogelsang 1934 – 1945, Beitrag zum DEUTSCHLAND ARCHIV – DRITTES REICH (Dokumente), Archiv Verlag Braunschweig 2009, Verlags-Art. - Nr.: 1202900
- Hans-Dieter Arntz: Ordensburg Vogelsang 1934 bis 1945 – Erziehung zur politischen Führung im Dritten Reich. Verlag Landpresse Weilerswist, 6. Auflage, Helios Verlag Aachen 2010, ISBN 978-3-86933-018-1
- Franz A. Heinen: Vogelsang - Von der NS-Ordensburg zum Truppenübungsplatz in der Eifel. Eine kritische Dokumentation. Helios-Verlag, Aachen. 2005. (3. Auflage) ISBN 3-933608-46-5
- Franz A. Heinen: Vogelsang. Im Herzen des Nationalparks Eifel. Ein Begleitheft durch die ehemalige "NS-Ordensburg. Gaasterland Verlag. Düsseldorf. 2006. ISBN 3-935873-11-5. 48 S.
External links
- www.nationalpark-eifel.de Site of the National Park Eifel
- lernort-vogelsang.de – „Vogelsang: yesterday – tomorrow – today“, (in German), also air photos of the estate (14 pages, pdf)
- Page with photos
- foerderverein-nationalpark-eifel.de national park information about the castle area (in German)
- serviceagentur-vogelsang.de site of Castle Vogelsang since 2006 (federal state North Rhine-Westphalia) (in German)
- „Vogelsang ip“ (in German)
- http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/0,1518,496026,00.html "Hitler's Forgotten Castle" from SPIEGEL ONLINE International.