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PRORA-CENTER

The historic place of Prora

The Prorer Wiek is one of the most beautiful bays on the island of Rügen. Beyond the beach and the sea, there is much more to discover in Prora: A building complex 4.5 kilometres in length stretches out parallel to the coast between the port of Mukran and the area of Ostseebad Binz. The monumental scale of the building complex still raises questions for visitors today: When and why was the site created? How was it used? What will become of the complex today?

Planning of the "Seaside Resort for 20,000"

The creation of the site dates back to the 1930s. With the election of Adolf Hitler in January 1933 as Chancellor of the Reich, the National Socialists began transforming the Weimar Republic into a dictatorship. One of the strategies to bring people into the National Socialist system was through ostensible social benefits such as was offered by the organisation “Strength Through Joy” (“Kraft durch Freude”, KdF). As part of the large organisation the “German Labour Front” ( “Deutsche Arbeitsfront”, DAF), KdF was supposed to organise the free time of the members of the so-called “national German community”. Jews, Sinti and Roma, mentally ill and mentally handicapped people, political dissenters, Jehovah’s Witnesses and many more who, according to the National Socialist ideology, did not belong to the “national German community” were fundamentally excluded from the offerings of the “Strength Through Joy” organisation. In particular, the sea cruises offered by KdF attracted much attention at a time when a holiday was not necessarily a given. Besides, the National Socialists announced plans to build five huge seaside resorts on the German Baltic Sea coast – the site in Prora is the unfinished prototype of this project.

Using the title “Strength through joy – seaside resort Rügen”, the architect Clemens Klotz designed a holiday complex for 20,000 people in 1936 as part of an architectural competition, of which seven of the original eight accommodation houses (now called blocks) still exist today. Klotz’s design included much more than just the accommodation houses. For example, settlements for the Reich Labour Service, staff houses, swimming pools, a plant nursery, a bakery and much more were planned. The laying of the foundation stone for the site took place on May 2, 1936. Two settlements for the Reich Labour Service and two staff houses were completed before the construction of the accommodation houses. Only a part of the planned site could be realised before the invasion of Poland by German troops and the beginning of World War II on September 1, 1939, and eight accommodation houses had not gotten beyond the shell state. The beginning of the war marked the sudden stop to building in Prora; people and materials were withdrawn for important wartime construction projects. Despite being one of the celebrated propaganda prestige projects, the so-called “seaside resort for 20,000” never hosted a single holidaymaker during the time of the National Socialists.

Usage during World War II

As early as November 1939, Polish prisoners of war had to do clean-up work and, ultimately, maintenance for the Prora construction site. They were housed in barracks on the grounds of the construction site. Beginning in the summer of 1943, hundreds of Soviet forced labourers were used for heavy construction work in the southern part of the site. Temporary accommodation had to be provided for bombed-out victims from Hamburg, and at the end of the war, for refugees from the eastern territories of the then German Reich. A military hospital was built by the forced labourers while they experienced extremely poor living conditions and bad nutrition. Parallel to this activity,

Prora was also used as a military training location beginning in early 1940. Several police battalions received basic training in the two completed Reich Labour Service settlements and in various barracks. Police battalions, the police on external deployment, were used behind the front during World War II. They deported Jews to concentration camps and were also involved in massive war crimes (including in the Baltic States). Beginning in 1942/43 and continuing until the end of the war, the Reich Labour Service settlements became a training centre for naval intelligence workers, who received their 4 to 6-week basic training in Prora.

From a planned Holiday Resort to a Restricted Military Area

After the Red Army occupied the island of Rügen in 1945 and it became part of the Soviet occupation zone, the major construction site became a warehouse for materials. The southernmost block of the site was demolished during this time.
The beginning of the Cold War and rearmament in East and West Germany ultimately made Prora interesting in the build-up of a new East German military kept under wraps.
After the October 1949 founding of the German Democratic Republic (GDR), from 1952 onward five of the seven blocks were expanded by members of the Barracked People’s Police (“Kasernierte Volkspolizei”, KVP) and civil construction companies.
Beginning in the 1950s, the southernmost block became a holiday home for military personnel and their families. A large barracks was built in the other four blocks, which was used by the ground forces of the newly formed National People’s Army beginning in 1956 (NVA).

Between 10,000 and 12,000 soldiers were stationed at this location. In addition to the site of the planned seaside resort, in 1953 the military seized a large area surrounding the complex between the Klein Jasmunder Bodden body of water and the Baltic Sea, which was later used as a military training area and as such was largely inaccessible to the civilian population. Beginning in the late 1960s, Prora was gradually converted to a training site and the operational units of the military ground forces gradually left the site. Two large training institutions were created with the Technical Noncommissioned Officer School (TUS), and later the Military Technical School (MTS) and the Otto Winzer Officer School, at which foreign soldiers were trained to become officers from 1980 onward. Paratroopers were stationed in block 5, the northernmost of the developed blocks, until 1982. These paratroopers used the two northernmost shell construction buildings (blocks 6 and 7) as military training grounds.

Memorial for the Conscientious Objectors

After the withdrawal of the paratroopers in 1982, several hundred construction soldiers, the conscientious objectors of the GDR, were stationed in block 5. In the GDR beginning in 1964, it was possible to do unarmed service within the military, hence construction soldier duty. However, this service was not the civilian alternative service as it existed in the Federal Republic of Germany and as was demanded by the conscientious objectors. For the GDR leaders, the conscientious objectors were a thorn in their side. The Socialist Unity Party (SED) saw the construction soldiers as general enemies of the state because they did not want to defend the “peace and socialism” of the GDR. Many construction soldiers refused to serve in the military for religious reasons, others had pacifist views or political reasons.
In the GDR between 1964 and 1989, a total of about 15,000 to 17,000 young men completed construction soldier service, which corresponds to about one percent in any given year. The decision to be a conscientious objector often had consequences later in life, and career opportunities were, in large part, severely curtailed.

The construction soldiers in Prora were used mainly in the construction of the Mukran port from 1982 onward, and here they often had to do hard physical labour.
Many construction soldiers were especially involved with the peace movement. Thus, they had an important role in opposing the GDR and were involved in the success of the Peaceful Revolution of 1989/90. In many cases, the networks formed during the time of military service remained intact later on. The history of the construction soldiers is documented at the PRORA CENTER in the permanent exhibition entitled “Opposition and Resistance – Construction Soldiers in Prora 1964-1989/90” [Link]. Through cooperation with the Construction Soldiers Sponsoring Society Prora e.V., as well as with other groups, the construction soldiers are ready to expand on the already existent three “time fragments” exhibits in the context of an additional outdoor exhibition at the PRORA Center [Link]. These serve as reminders of the conscientious objectors and their commitment, as well as to elucidate the Prora military base.

Prora Undergoes Renovation

After the unification treaty between the two German states on October 3, 1990, the federal armed forces took over the location. In 1992 the military base was dissolved and handed over to the Federal Property Office, which then became responsible for the management of the site. On October 12, 1992, the entire complex, including the ruins, was listed as a historical monument. The demolition of the building was thus avoided, but questions regarding its future use remained unanswered. Parts of the building complex were used in the interim, often for cultural or tourist purposes. In the north part, the blocks were empty for a long time. In 1996 the Federal Ministry of Finance commissioned a needs analysis and profitability study for Prora, which was available in 1997 as the development concept “Prora for Rügen”. However, as part of Berlin’s delicate urban renewal plan, this so-called societal “S.T.E.R.N. study” was never implemented. Instead, the Federal Property Office sold the blocks individually to private investors beginning in 2003. Block 5 was acquired by the administrative district of Rügen in 2006.
Block 5 in the north saw the 2007/08 opening of the youth campground area in Prora, and ultimately the northern part of the block was renovated to become the Prora Youth Hostel. In 2008, the PRORA CENTER moved to block 5’s as yet unrenovated space to convey the story

of the historic town of Prora to those at the youth campground, and later on to guests staying at the youth hostel. Since its opening in 2011, the Prora Youth Hostel and nearby youth campground have proven to be very popular.
Since its beginnings, the youth hostel and campground have been one of PRORA CENTER’s cooperation partners. In 2016 the new district of Vorpommern Rügen, in existence since 2011, decided to sell block 5 to private investors. The Prora Youth Hostel will remain in the building and be connected to a newly renovated, long-planned education and documentation centre [Link] on the history of Prora, as promised by the local district. After the Prora Youth Hostel opened, the private proprietors of the remaining blocks also became engaged. In the intervening time, all blocks have been sold and are being extensively renovated. Large parts of the site have been converted into luxury condominiums and hotels, only block 5 is still recognisable from the outside as one of the Prora blocks. Prora’s history will have another chapter added with this renovation, but this historic place is threatened with disappearance. Get a first-hand idea of the site yourself and explore the diverse history of Prora while visiting the PRORA CENTER!

Permanent Exhibitions

Prora - More Than Just a Pretty Beach - 1933-1946

The exhibition entitled “Prora – More than just a pretty beach 1933-1946” was developed as part of a project involving pupils from the Ernst Moritz Arndt High School in Bergen. It gives an overview of the origins of the site at Prora during the National Socialist era, as well as the history of its usage during World War II. In addition, the phenomenon of anti-Semitism in spas and the Aryanization of the spa in Binz are discussed.

Prora After 1945

The small exhibition “Prora after 1945” documents the post-war history of Prora and its transition into one of the largest military bases in the GDR during that period. Light is shed on the development during its nearly 40-year history of use.

Opposition and Resistance - Construction Soldiers in Prora 1964-1989/90

This exhibition tells the story of the construction soldiers, the conscientious objectors from the GDR who, as part of the National People’s Army (NVA), were stationed in Prora during the period from 1964-1989/90. Starting in 1982, Prora became the largest site for construction soldiers in the GDR. In addition to photos, texts, sheets, files and exhibits, audio and video clips from interviews with former construction soldiers are available. The presentation prepared by the PRORA CENTER in 2013/14 was based on the research findings of the association. The history of the construction soldiers at Prora was examined through several research and interview projects, thanks to the support of the The Federal Foundation for the Study of the Communist Dictatorship in Eastern Germany and the state commissioner of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania in the provision of documents from the State Security Service of the former GDR.

Special Exhibitions

In 2021, the PRORA CENTER will show and display the following special exhibitions on the history of National Socialism and the GDR.

March 29 - June 16, 2021: "The 'KdF Seaside Resort Rügen' - Photographs from the Planning and Construction Period 1935-1938"

(Exhibition of the PRORA CENTER in cooperation with the archive of the Cologne photographer Wim Cox).

The exhibition shows photographs from the construction period of the “KdF” seaside resort, taken by the photographers Hugo Schmölz, who specialized in architecture, and his son Carl Hugo Schmölz. They were commissioned to do so by Clemens Klotz, the architect of Prora. The large-format black-and-white photographs, printed on aluminium Dibond plates, are impressive documents of the history of the development of the complex, which was never put into operation during the National Socialist era.

June 20 - Sept. 15, 2021: "Some Were Neighbors: Perpetration, Fellow Travelers, and Resistance."

(An exhibition of the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, Washington).

This exhibition addresses one of the most fundamental questions in history: How was the Holocaust possible? What role did ordinary people play? Why did so many support the National Socialists’ crimes or remain silent? Why did so few help the victims? The exhibition is under the patronage of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania’s Minister-President, Manuela Schwesig, who also made a statement about the exposition.

17 September 2021 - January 2022: "Transformation East. Lifeworlds in Transition"

(An exhibition of the Federal Foundation for the Reappraisal of the SED Dictatorship).

The German-English exhibition is dedicated to different aspects of everyday life in the German reunification since 1990. With this theme, its content follows the exposition “From the Peaceful Revolution to German Unity”, which PRORA CENTER showed in 2020.

December 01, 2020 - March 25, 2021: "The Berlin Wall. The Inner German Border"

(Exhibition of the Federal Foundation for the Study of Communist Dictatorship in East Germany).
The exhibition impressively shows photos and documents that document the history of the Berlin Wall from its construction to its demolition.

Outdoor Exhibition

Since 2014, the PRORA-CENTER has been working on an outdoor exhibition under the name “Zeitsplitter” (a term best translated to “time fragments”) in cooperation with the Förderkreis Bausoldaten Prora e.V. (Prora Soldiers Association). “Zeitsplitter” are prominent points on the grounds in Prora that are intended to remind visitors of the military use of the facility during GDR times. Both associations want to make these “time fragments” visible on the site and thus both underline the authenticity of the location and anchor Prora’s GDR history more firmly. Three “time fragments” have been installed so far, and more are to follow.

Time Fragment 1: The Detention Cell

The column with the first time fragment is located next to the present PRORA CENTER exhibition building at the entranceway to the youth hostel. During the GDR era, this building was the so-called inspection area (KDL), in which there were also several detention cells. The column offers an explanation of the military penal system; a window in the building provides a view of a detention cell preserved in its original state.

Time Fragment 2: The Explanation Panel at the Present-Day Multipurpose Hall

At the former sports hall in block 5 (the current multipurpose hall at the Prora Youth Hostel) a panel was added in 2014. This panel complements a memorial plaque that has been there since 2010, as put up by an old association called DenkMal Prora, and it highlights the history of the construction soldiers in Prora. Both panels serve as reminders that in the 1980s, the construction soldiers had to say their oath, which was different from the usual oath of allegiance done by NVA soldiers.

Time Fragment 3: Memorial Plaque on the Small-Leaf Lime

In the green space next to the former inspection area (KDL) of the military section in Prora, where the PRORA CENTER is located today, a group of former construction soldiers of the 1st construction company in 1985/86 planted a tree of remembrance in October 2016.

Film Screenings and Book Sales

There is a film room in our building where we offer two films on request:
The 45-minute reportage “Urlaubsmaschine Prora” (Prora Holiday Machine) illuminates the planning and background for the “KdF (“Kraft durch Freude”) seaside resort Rügen” planned by the National Socialists.
The film “Swords to Spades. The Construction Soldiers in the GDR” (35 min.) sheds light on the history of the conscientious objectors from the 1960s to the Peaceful Revolution of 1989/90 with the help of various contemporary witnesses.
The film screenings are included in the admission price.
There is also a book sale in the building with literature on Prora and regional historical topics as well as DVDs and postcards.

Events

The PRORA-CENTER offers public tours (guided tours) through the grounds on the history of Prora during the National Socialist and GDR eras from April to October (every Tuesday and Thursday, 10:00 and 14:00). Besides, events such as lectures, exhibition openings, film screenings and activity days take place. You can find more information in our event flyer 2021 (download below) and in the list below.

We are looking forward to your visit!

Not all events may take place in times of Covid.

The events that unfortunately have to be cancelled due to Covid are marked below.

Our upcoming events are:

May 16, 2021
10 am - 6 pm
PRORA CENTER
International Museum Day with free admission to exhibitions and free tours of Prora's history at 11:00 am and 2:00 pm. (cancellation due to Covid lockdown)
May 25, 2021
6 pm
PRORA CENTER
Lecture by Susanna Misgajski: "Wim Cox and the PRORA CENTER". Misgajski will highlight the historical background to the photo exhibition currently running on the planning and construction period of the "KdF" seaside resort. (cancellation due to Covid lockdown)
May 26, 2021
2 - 5 pm
PRORA CENTER
Moving History - Exploring Prora's history during the National Socialist and GDR periods by bicycle. (cancellation due to Covid lockdown)
June 4, 2021
11 am - 2 pm
PRORA CENTER
Hiking in Spring on Rügen. The PRORA CENTER participates in the campaign with a free approx. 3-hour hike on Prora's National Socialist and GDR history.
June 12, 2021
11 am - 2 pm
PRORA CENTER
Moving History - Exploring Prora's history during the National Socialist and GDR periods by bicycle.
June 19, 2021
3 pm
PRORA CENTER
Exhibition opening: "Some were neighbors: perpetration, fellow travelers and resistance". The opening had to take place as a hybrid event due to the hygiene regulations in force. From June 23, 2021 it can be seen online on the home page of this website.
June 23, 2021
2 pm - 5 pm
PRORA CENTER
Moving History - Exploring Prora's history during the National Socialist and GDR eras by bicycle.
July 2, 2021
11 am - 2 pm
PRORA CENTER
Guided walking tour of Prora's National Socialist and GDR history in the north of the complex.
July 2, 2021
7 pm
PRORA CENTER
Lecture by Andreas Ilse: Burggraf Shaft - A subcamp of Buchenwald Concentration Camp and how local history becomes a puzzle. The lecture will take place outside in our event tent.
July 17, 2021
11 am - 2 pm
PRORA CENTER
Moving History - Exploring Prora's history during the National Socialist and GDR periods by bicycle.
July 28, 2021
2 pm - 5 pm
PRORA CENTER
Moving History - Exploring Prora's history during the National Socialist and GDR periods by bicycle.
August 4, 2021
11 am - 2 pm
PRORA CENTER
Guided walking tour of Prora's National Socialist and GDR history in the north of the complex.
August 6, 2021
7 pm
PRORA CENTER
Lecture by Hartmut Gutsche and Dennis Grunendahl: "The neighbors are still relevant today". In the context of the temporary exhibition "Some were neighbors..." this event is about looking into current antisemitic and racist acts.
August 14, 2021
11 am - 2 pm
PRORA CENTER
Moving History - Exploring Prora's history during the National Socialist and GDR periods by bicycle.
August 25, 2021
11 am - 2 pm
PRORA CENTER
Moving History - Exploring Prora's history during the National Socialist and GDR periods by bicycle.
September 3, 2021
11 am - 2 pm
PRORA CENTER
Guided walking tour of Prora's National Socialist and GDR history in the north of the complex.
September 12, 2021
10 am - 6 pm
PRORA CENTER
Open Monument Day with various offers.
September 15, 2021
11 am - 2 pm
PRORA CENTER
Moving History - Exploring Prora's history during the National Socialist and GDR periods by bicycle.
September 18, 2021
3 pm
PRORA CENTER
Exhibition opening: " Transformation East. Living Worlds in Transition". The event will take place under appropriately applicable hygiene regulations.
October 6, 2021
11 am - 2 pm
PRORA CENTER
Moving History - Exploring Prora's history during the National Socialist and GDR periods by bicycle.
October, 2021
3 pm
PRORA CENTER
Lecture by Stephan Schack: "Does the East tick differently? GDR Socialization and Disenchantment with Democracy - A Neuroscientific Perspective on a Social Problem".

Contact

If you have questions or requests, please feel free to contact us!
We are available with postal services, email and phone per the following:

PRORA CENTRE Education-Documentation-Research
Fünfte Straße 6  / near the youth hostel
18609 Prora-Nord
Tel.: +49 (0) 38393-127921
Mobile: +49 (0) 1520-8553184
info@prora-zentrum.de
www.prora-zentrum.de

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