Wandlitz: Secrets of the GDR elite in the shade of the old trees

Wandlitz: Secrets of the GDR elite in the shade of the old trees

The Wandlitz Waldsiedlung, hidden in the forest area near Bernau, tells the story of a very special place. Formerly known as “Bonzenhausen”, “Volvograd” or “SED ghetto”, the settlement served for decades as a retreat for the GDR's high-profile leadership elite. Film footage from 1990 to 1992 shows an area that was surrounded by a two-meter-high wall and was strictly guarded. The members of the Politburo and big names like Erich Honecker and Walter Ulbricht lived here. The settlement was built between 1958 and 1960 and has been listed as a protected monument since June 2017, as coolis.de reports.

However, the once rosy idea of ​​luxurious living is being questioned by amateur historian Paul Bergner. He, who worked as a gardener in the settlement, describes the living conditions as less opulent than often portrayed. Walter Ulbricht's house, a rather inconspicuous, two-story building, is just 200 square meters and only has up to 15 rooms. The interior was adapted to the residents' wishes at state expense, 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 fall of the Wall, as many sculptures have disappeared, as Deutschlandfunk Kultur notes.

The Wandlitz forest settlement today

The forest settlement covers an area of ​​1.5 square kilometers and has changed significantly since the fall of communism. Today it is part of the Brandenburg Clinic Bernau, which is housed in the former homes of GDR officials. This clinic opened in the summer of 1990 and can accommodate around 700 inpatients. 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 purpose when it was converted into a residential area, as Wikipedia) reports.

Change thrives in the midst of familiar structures. A small Wandlitz museum will soon be built in the home of Walter and Lotte Ulbricht to do justice to the history of this unique place. The adjacent “F-Club”, which once offered political officials a wide range of leisure activities, is now known as “Haus Barnim” and is also a listed building.

A look at the historical buildings and the surrounding nature brings the past to life. Old trees and weathered walls are reminiscent of past power structures, which also find their place in the film documentary, which focuses on the lives of the elites behind closed doors. The photographs illustrate the contrast between personal luxury and the realities of life for the general public. These memories are not just Khias, they also invite reflection on the political power relations and privilege that prevailed in this isolation.