Prora, The Massive Nazi Resort Complex with 10,000 Bedroom

Prora, the massive complex, stretches for 4.5km or 2.8 miles along Rügen Island's beautiful beaches. It is well-known for its largest Nazi-planned tourist structures. In fact, the six-storey-high mega-resort complex has a total area of 185,000 sq. m and 10,000 rooms. All are facing the sea. They are located about 150 metres from the beach. Although they were originally intended as a Prora holiday resort, Adolf Hitler never used them.

Prora

Hitler's Hotel

This complex is a striking example of Third Reich architecture and has been listed in the official heritage. The massive Prora Resort building complex, originally designed by Robert Ley, was constructed between 1936 and 1939 as part of Strength Through Joy, or KdF Seebad Prora. During the short time it was being constructed, nearly 9,000 workers and all the major construction companies in the Reich participated in the construction of the Prora apartments. The outbreak of World War II in 1939 halted the building of Prora. Action workers were transferred to the V-Weapons plant in Peenemunde.

The construction would have been completed by summer 1940. However, World War II brought an immediate halt to the work. The only items that were ready to go at the time were the theatre and Prora Hotel blocks. Prora was never used for the intended purpose. During World War II, the complex was used as a military hospital and SS training school. Finally, it was used as an inn for Germans whose houses were destroyed by the Allies.

The Soviet Army gained control of the area in 1945 and established a military base there. Prora. From 1945 to 1955, the Soviet Army's 2nd Artillery Brigade occupied Block 5. Two of the blocks, one on the North and one to the South, were demolished in the late 1940s, and most of the remains were removed.

Hitler's Hotel — Hitler's plans for Prora were ambitious. He wanted to build a giant resort by the sea, with 20,000 beds. A massive building was planned to be built in the middle. Hitler also wanted it to be converted into a military hospital in the event of war. Hitler demanded that the plans for a huge indoor arena designed by Erich Putlitz be included. Putlitz's Festival Hall was designed to hold all 20,000 people at once. Two wave-swimming pools, a cinema, and a theatre were some of his plans. Furthermore, a large dock was planned for passenger ships.

Image credit: Panoramio

Prora Germany

Image credit: Frank M. Rafik

Prora Germany

In the 1950s, the East German military rebuilt many of the buildings. The Prora resort's German buildings were demolished to their bare bricks in the late 1940s. Most of the interior and exterior finishes that are visible today were done by East Germany. The buildings were made into a military zone that housed several East German Army units after the 1956 formation of the German Democratic Republic's National People's Army (GDR). The elite 40 were the most prominent. After German reunification, the West German Bundeswehr took over the building. Initial plans were to demolish the buildings. However, it was granted landmark protection and tax breaks to allow developers to renovate it. The Military Technical School of the Bundeswehr used parts of the building from 1990 to 1992. A portion of the building was used from 1992 to 1994 to accommodate asylum seekers from the Balkans.

Prora today still stands mostly empty. One section of the rooms is used as a gallery, while another houses a museum dedicated to the site. The largest portion of the hostel houses Germany's largest youth hostel. Recently, it appears that some parts of Prora are being converted into luxury condos. It may be possible to turn Prora's vacation rooms, originally built by Hitler, into luxury homes for the wealthy.