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Forst Zinna, Germany - March 2022 | European and International Sites | 28DaysLater.co.uk

Forst Zinna, Germany - March 2022

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The_Raw

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Staff member
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Within the forests of Germany, the Wehrmacht constructed numerous training spaces and temporary living quarters for its soldiers. The majority have been demolished by the government as they are no longer required.

Forst Zinna, otherwise known as Adolf Hitler Lager, was established in 1934 during the early days of the Third Reich. During World War II, it operated as a Nazi military training base, consisting of numerous multi-story buildings. These included soldiers’ barracks, training rooms, administration facilities, a theatre, and a prison. In 1945 Forst Zinna was captured by the Red Army. Immediately after the war it was used as a displaced persons camp, housing refugees from Eastern Europe and former inmates from Nazi concentration camps. Most were there against their will and only allowed to leave in collective transports tasked with deporting them to their home countries. In 1947 the ‘Deutsche Verwaltungsakademie’ turned it into the ‘The German Academy of Public Administration’ with the intention of training the DDR political elite, but the site was taken over again by the Soviet Army in 1950 and remained under their control until the collapse of the Soviet Union in the 90s.

The last Soviet soldiers left Forst Zinna in 1994, leaving this huge military site completely abandoned. The German authorities began demolishing the complex in 2007 but despite extensive demolition work a lot of the buildings still remain intact today. Further demolition work is scheduled to take place but seems to have stalled for the time being.

I spent a full day in here with @Adders, @Sids, @scrappy, expert tag along, gill, and snappel. You could easily be fooled into thinking there isn't much worth seeing here after checking a few empty buildings, but there's actually tons of interesting stuff if you can be bothered to keep looking for it. In fact we struggled to get around the whole site in a day so I popped back on my own for a few more hours the next day, and I've still only seen about three quarters of the place! I'm glad we made it here while it's still standing. Thoroughly enjoyable explore 11/10. Long report ahead....

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The majority of the complex consists of two storey accommodation blocks like this

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There wasn't much inside a lot of them, especially on the ground and first floors. Mostly just bathrooms....

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....and long empty rooms with ceramic heating units, presumably for accommodating troops.

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Down in the basements however there were quite a few interesting things to be found. Bits of old army uniforms amongst other things....

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Soviet posters

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Photos of Lenin and Gorbachev on display

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An old office space with a red star embossed desk

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Details of the 19th communist party reunion

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As well as the basements, the roof spaces also had a few gems tucked away....

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This attic in particular had an abundance of decaying gas masks. Not something you see every day!

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This war themed mural was on display in the entrance to the former theatre....

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....where unfortunately the auditorium has totally collapsed

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Elsewhere there was a small block of prison cells

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Oil or fuel tanks.

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A couple of old military trailers with some stuff inside

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A bunker containing an underground reservoir for storing oil​
 
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The_Raw

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A former kindergarten perhaps?

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Soviet-era newspapers appearing from underneath the wallpaper

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A large space presumably once used as a canteen

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A glimpse of former grandeur

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A map of the Soviet Union from 1971 amazingly still intact on the wall

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Russian instructions for handling a magazine of ammunition safely

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A nice mural tucked away inbetween some buildings

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This room seemed to be dedicated to commemorating Soviet forces. The Russian slogan says something about "continuing to multiply traditions"

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A lot of things have been trashed or removed but a few photos of soldiers remain

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A large scale map of the USSR

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Posters depicting Soviet forces

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Various sports halls and playing fields can be found across the base

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Basketball court

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Football pitch

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Obstacle course

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Swimming pool

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Sauna

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The importance of sport was highlighted by a series of murals around the complex

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Lastly, a couple of stone murals depicting Soviet ideals and Lenin on the outskirts of the base

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Well done if you've made it this far. Cheers :)
 

MrDevla

28DL Full Member
28DL Full Member
Wow, what a place! After a quick look on Google, there seems to be so much worth looking at in that area. Great report.
 
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Mikeymutt🐶

28DL Regular User
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I love that so much mate. Your photos are superb. I would live to go here and would be right up my street. I reckon I could spend hours here.
 

The_Raw

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Pretty extensive site that, your photos are immense these days too bud.

Cheers mate. Much appreciated!

That is absolutely mega @The_Raw
Urbex history. Fantastic.

Thanks mate. Incredible history around there.

Wow, what a place! After a quick look on Google, there seems to be so much worth looking at in that area. Great report.

Thanks. Yeah there's tons of interesting places around Juterbog.

I love that so much mate. Your photos are superb. I would live to go here and would be right up my street. I reckon I could spend hours here.

You'd absolutely love it there mate. I could spend weeks exploring that region.

Really nice, a lot of historical aspects in there.

Cheers mate. The history around there is dark but fascinating.

Looks alright that place :)

You'd love it mate. Need to get you on a plane some time ;)

It’s OK i suppose :rofl….

Proper top one that dude. Superb shots too.

Thanks mate. Lots to see over there.
 

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