The repercussions of war echo through various aspects of society, with the aftermath of the World Wars serving as a poignant example. The consequences are far-reaching, encompassing the psychological toll on soldiers, the monumental task of reconstructing war-torn regions, and the struggles to pacify civil unrest.
In the case of Germany, the lasting traces of the Second World War are prominently displayed in the architectural relics that endured from the peak of the National Socialist German Workers’ Party’s reign. Presented below are ten structures from that era that still stand today.
Olympiastadion – Berlin, Germany
Before the outbreak of the Second World War, Germany fell under the sway of a new dictator. He ascended to power in 1933 and, three years later, presided over the Olympics in Berlin. Initially, the intention was to modernize an existing stadium. However, it was later deemed more fitting for the country’s leadership to commission the construction of an impressive new structure.
The new Reichssportfeld complex was erected between 1934-36 and comprised various buildings, the most notable of which being the Olympiastadion. Following the conclusion of WWII, the Reichssportfeld served as the headquarters for the British forces until 1994, while the German stadium and its environs hosted various sporting events.
Upon the departure of the British, the German populace faced a decision of what to do with the stadium, given its symbolic significance and the identity of its builders. Ultimately, it was determined that the structure would undergo renovation and remain in use.
Olympic Village – Berlin, Germany
In preparation for the 1936 Olympic Games, athlete accommodations were needed. The Olympic Village was erected 14 km west of the Olympiastadion, providing lodging for over 4,800 male athletes and their coaches. Meanwhile, approximately 500 female athletes were housed at the Reichssportfeld.
Situated on land belonging to the Wehrmacht, the Olympic Village featured 136 bungalows, which were pledged to the military post-Olympics. The facilities boasted luxurious amenities, including a manmade lake stocked with animals borrowed from the Berlin Zoo.
Following the conclusion of WWII, the Soviet Union repurposed the former sports village and its structures as a headquarters. When they left in 1992, the area fell into disuse. That being said, as of 2019, ongoing renovation work is being done to turn the location into residential townhouses.
Colossus of Prora – Rügen, Germany
One of the lesser-known complexes built by Germany before the Second World War was the Colossus of Prora. Intended to be a holiday resort, it was made up of eight buildings, which ran along the length of a 4.5 km-long beach. It was built between 1936-39 as part of the Strength Through Joy organization, which would, allegedly, help middle-class pastimes become available to the working class.
Many structures were constructed, although the area couldn’t be completed before the start of the war. When WWII ended, the German buildings were taken over by the Soviets. Following the fall of the Berlin Wall, the site once again fell under German control. Prora never turned into a resort that could hold 20,000 guests. However, by 2018, it had become a holiday destination, connected to a nearby tourist area by a railway.
Flak towers – Germany and Austria
From as early as 1940, Germany erected anti-aircraft gun towers across its territories to bolster the defense of major cities. There were eight primary ones: three in Berlin, three in Vienna, and two in Hamburg, alongside smaller installations. Operated by the Luftwaffe, they served not only defense but also doubled as air raid shelters for locals.
The construction of the flak towers was so robust that even the largest Soviet guns couldn’t inflict damage. This resilience explains why many still stand today, as their removal would have been costly and time-consuming (although some were dismantled). Those remaining after WWII have been repurposed, such as transforming one into an outdoor climbing wall and another into a public aquarium, making them among the few German buildings from that era to stay standing in other countries.
Rally grounds – Nuremberg, Germany
Located in Nuremberg, the Reichsparteitagsgelände is arguably one of the most recognizable of the many German buildings constructed in the lead up to WWII. It was developed as a rally ground for German leadership to deploy troops and put forward propaganda.
The initial plan was for the area to have 12 buildings joined by open spaces spanning 11 square km, which would allow hundreds of thousands of people to watch the rallies. Instead, all that was built was the Zeppelinfeld and Kongresshalle. Some structures already existed, such as the Ehrenhalle.
Throughout the Second World War, the rally grounds were used extensively by German leadership. When the conflict ended, the buildings remained, leaving the citizens of Nuremberg with a difficult decision: tear them down or leave them standing. It was ultimately decided they would remain as reminders of the past.
Haus der Kunst – Munich, Germany
The Haus der Kunst was built between 1933-37 and was intended to be a museum to showcase German art. It was the first major construction undertaken by the Führer before WWII, and officially opened on July 18, 1937. In the years before the war, it hosted many gatherings and exhibitions dedicated to German culture.
By the end of the WWII, the German building had been taken over by the American forces for use as an officers’ mess, before being converted back into a museum in 1946. From then on, it hosted various traveling exhibitions, some of which focused on the previous conflict, although it didn’t have a collection of its own.
Renovations are planned, for which the estimated timeline is unclear.
Ministry of Aviation – Berlin, Germany
Opened in 1936, the Ministry of Aviation building in Berlin has an intriguing history. The Reichsluftfahrtministerium (RLM) was built in a modern style, despite doing so being against the law at the time. It was built to house a staff of 2,000 officers, who oversaw the development and production of German aircraft.
The German building is an important piece of historical architecture, as it was one of few in central Berlin to survive the heavy bombings carried out by the Allies during WWII. When the war ended, it found itself located in the Soviet occupation zone, and it made the House of the Ministries of the German Democratic Republic (GDR).
The building is currently occupied by the Federal Ministry of Finance.
Lorient Submarine Base – Lorient, France
Located in Lorient, France, this submarine base was constructed between 1941-43 for use by the Kriegsmarine. The site was ideal for the German U-boat fleet, as it greatly reduced the distance the vessels had to travel to attack Allied ships. The Allies knew about the base and targeted it during air raids.
Despite these attacks causing significant damage to the structure, it survived the war and was taken over by the French Navy upon Germany’s surrender. The military branch used the base until it was decommissioned in 1995, and during this time it was home to 2,000 naval personnel and 10 submarines. A few years later, it opened to the public, and today is the site of a museum.
NS-Ordensburgen – Germany and Poland
NS-Ordensburgen were schools for elite members of the National Socialist German Workers’ Party. Those wishing to attend had to meet very specific criteria. They had to be between 25-30 years of age, be a member of an approved affiliate organization, be in good physical health and be “pure-blooded with no hereditary defects” – essentially, they were designed for the children of party leaders.
Throughout the party’s rule, three schools were built, with a fourth planned. Construction of the German buildings began years before WWII, between 1933-34, and they saw use throughout the conflict. Today, all three still stand. Ordensburg Krössinsee is used by the 2nd Battalion, 12th Tank Brigade of the Polish Land Forces, while Ordensburg Sonthofen is protected as a historical site. Ordensburg Vogelsang was used as a military training area, but has since been repurposed.
Kehlsteinhaus (Eagle’s Nest) – Berchtesgaden, Germany
The Kehlsteinhaus was constructed in the Berchtesgaden Alps in 1938. Designed to be a gathering place and social hideaway for high-ranking German officials during WWII, the building was used throughout the conflict. Given its importance to the Führer, it was a target of air raids on April 25, 1945. However, its small size meant the Allies were unsuccessful in hitting the property.
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After taking control of the area, the Allies made the Kehlsteinhaus a military command post. It saw use as such until 1960, when it was given back to the German state of Bavaria. Since then, the building has been converted into a restaurant and beer garden, and is a popular tourist attraction.