Wandlitz: secrets of the GDR elite in the shadow of the old trees

Wandlitz: secrets of the GDR elite in the shadow of the old trees

Wandlitz, Deutschland - The Wandlitz Waldsiedlung, hidden in the forest area near Bernau, tells the story of a very special place. Formerly known as "Bonzenhausen", "Volvograd" or as a "SED Ghetto", the settlement served as a retreat for the top-class management elite of the GDR for decades. Film recordings from 1990 to 1992 show an area that was surrounded by a wall around two meters high and strictly guarded. The members of the Politburos and the big names like Erich Honecker and Walter Ulbricht lived here. The settlement was built between 1958 and 1960 and has been led as a protected monument since June 2017, as Coolis.de.

The once rosy idea of ​​luxurious living is questioned by hobby historian Paul Bergner. He, who worked as a garden worker in the settlement, describes the living conditions as less opulent than often presented. Walter Ulbricht Haus, a rather inconspicuous, two -storey building, has just 200 square meters and only harbors up to 15 rooms. The interior was adapted to state costs according to the wishes of the residents, which may seem strange from today's perspective. The garden landscape, which was once designed by garden architect Hugo Namslauer, also shows some loss after the turn, because many sculptures have disappeared, such as [Deutschlandfunk Kultur] (https://www.deutschlandfunkkultur.de/waldsiedlung-wandlitz-- die-ddr-wohnte-100.html).

The Wandlitz Waldsiedlung today

The forest settlement includes an area of ​​1.5 square kilometers and has changed significantly since the turn. Today it is part of the Brandenburg Clinic Bernau, which is housed in the former residential buildings of the GDR officials. This clinic was opened in summer 1990 and offers space for around 700 inpatient patients. There is also a senior center and various service providers who share the area. Interestingly, the location was previously a former shooting range, which was given a completely different provision by the redesign into the housing estate, as [wikipedia] (https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/waldsiedlung_ (bernau_bei_berlin)).

In the middle of the usual structures, change flourishes. A small wall-based museum will soon be built in the Walter and Lotte Ulbricht residential building in order to meet the history of this unique place. The adjacent "F-Club", which once offered the political officials a wide range of leisure activities, is now known under the name "Haus Barnim" and is also a listed building.

A look at the historical development and the surrounding nature revives the past. Old trees and weathered walls are reminiscent of past structures of rule, which also find their place in the cinematic documentation, which addresses the life of the elites behind closed doors. The recordings illustrate the contrast between personal luxury and the realities of the masses. These memories are not only Khias, they also invite you to think about the political balance of power and privilege that prevailed in this seclusion.