NS-Ordensburg Vogelsang

This is a place steeped in history that also feels a little gloomy. But its transformation from the Nazi cadre forge, via a military training area inaccessible for decades, to a valuable memorial in a wonderful national park is definitely worth a visit.

The NS-Ordensburg Vogelsang was in the third Reich a training center of the Nazi elites. Today it is an impressive monument of German history. A visit is absolutely worthwhile. In any case, one should take a look into the historic cinema hall, where propaganda films were screened at the time. He is in the visitor center.

Ordensburg Vogelsang is a former educational centre for future National Socialist leaders between 1936 and 1939, and became a military training area after WW II. New headquarter of Eifel National Park in North Rhine-Westphalia, the landmarked and completely preserved estate has been open to visitors since 1 January 2006. It is one of the largest architectural relics of National Socialism. The gross area of the landmarked buildings is 50,000 m².
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ordensburg_Vogelsang
de.wikipedia.org/wiki/NS-Ordensburg_Vogelsang

In Nazi Germany, the NS-Ordensburgen ("National Socialist Order Castles"), also called Schulungsburgen, were schools developed for elite Nazi military echelons. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NS-Ordensburgen
Each student attended all four institutions in sequence, for specialty training, finishing in Marienburg for training that included live-fire military exercises.

The NS-Ordensburg Vogelsang served as a training center for the offspring of the NSDAP during National Socialism and was used for military purposes until 2005. The large complex has meanwhile been placed under monument protection. Since then, more and more parts have been converted into showrooms. There are restaurants and even places to stay.

Unfortunately I have only one photo from the old swimming pool, where the elite was trained for the Olympic Games. Very worth seeing the complete system with the information from past times. In the mind's eye you can see the past alive.

The NS-Ordensburg Vogelsang is a built by the National Socialists in the Eifel above the Urft dam on the mountain Erpenscheid building complex at Schleiden-Gemünd in North Rhine-Westphalia. The facility served, in contrast to the SS Junker School and the Reichsführerschule, the NSDAP between 1936 and 1939 as a training ground for the offspring of the NSDAP leadership squad. The listed part of the buildings covers a gross floor area of more than 50,000 square meters and is after the congressional buildings in Nuremberg with almost 100 acres of built-up area as the largest structural legacy of National Socialism in Germany.

After the Second World War, the complex was taken over by British forces, which set up the military training area in the surrounding area on 6354 ha. From 1950 to the end of 2005, the infrastructure was taken over by Belgian military forces, who set up a barracks there under the name "Camp Vogelsang" and used and managed these and the military training area until 2005.
Source: Wikipedia

In and around the castle Vogelsang there are different independent, but also guided sightseeing opportunities.
For example, the permanent exhibitions "Determination: Master man, NS-castles between fascination and crime" and the "National Park Eifel" are highly recommended.
Further information and opening times at: vogelsang-ip.de

An absolutely worth seeing facility with various exhibitions. The former NS-Ordensburg Vogelsang is not only one of the largest buildings of National Socialism, due to the military use after the Second World War as "Camp Vogelsang", the place also reflects the path from the "Cold War" to today's Europe.

In the middle of the Eifel National Park, this structure towers out of the forest. Here you can experience history and it is really worth a visit.

The former NS-Ordensburg Vogelsang is now an international point to remember the importance of human rights and international cooperation.

An absolutely worth seeing facility with various exhibitions. The former NS-Ordensburg Vogelsang is not only one of the largest buildings of National Socialism, due to the military use after the Second World War as "Camp Vogelsang", the place also reflects the path from the "Cold War" to today's Europe.

Monumental Nazi architecture. The National Socialists erected the huge building complex in order to form young people and young men into the new Nazi elite. Today you can visit exhibitions on Nazi ideology and the history of the fortress here. If you walk through the huge corridors or stand in the courtyard, you will shudder.

The castle is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and there is also a dining area.

An absolute recommendation in the Eifel. Very interesting exhibition and guided tour of the area.

A relic from the time of National Socialism.
Here you can hike history.

Attractive plant with a fantastic view

Museum and memorial, excellently restored. It is worthwhile to schedule time here. Public tours daily at 14.00.

Vogelsang IP is the hiking center of the Eifel National Park: the well-known hiking trails Eifelsteig and Wildnis Trail run across the area and several circular routes around and over the Urftsee invite you to explore the area. The new Forum Vogelsang with visitor center houses a Nazi documentation, the National Park Center Eifel, an Eifel panorama, a conference area and a panoramic restaurant with an outdoor terrace. The two exhibitions "Purpose: Master Man | Nazi order castles between fascination and crime "and" Wildnis (t) räume "inform comprehensively and appealingly about the history, the backgrounds and goals of the former NS-Ordensburg and the Eifel National Park.

We went through a tower tour and I highly recommend it. Our guide was able to tell a lot about the history of Vogelsang and also a few about the region itself. From the tower you have a very good view and can grasp the size of the terrain well.

The former NS-Ordensburg Vogelsang is now an international point to remember the importance of human rights and international cooperation.

Just worth seeing, super nice view.

Today Vogelsang Castle is a memorial to the madness of National Socialism. In addition to insights into the deviant ideologies of the Nazi era, there are now a number of exhibitions and events there. More information about current tours and events can be found on the homepage.

The view gives an idea why the place was chosen for the Kaderschmiede in the National Socialism.

Ordensburg from the SS period. Together with the desert of wool soaps, an absolute highlight of the 4th Eifelsteig stage.

A great view over the grounds below overlooking the lake and its surroundings ..

Highly recommended is a guided tour (90 min) in the Ordensburg, the tour is very informative and you can see a lot, what is otherwise hidden (officer's casino and cinema)