About
Abandoned Berlin is an attempt to document the past, uncover hidden history and preserve the memory of neglected glories – as they are.
Every floorboard that creaks, every curtain that flutters or paint that flakes has a tale begging to be told. Most have tales that should be told before they’re lost to uncaring time, stories that cling tentatively for survival in the ruins of decay.
This project started in 2009 when the lure of untold wonders was calling from the other side of a threatening fence outside an abandoned amusement park. It was such a magical experience I was compelled to share it with instructions for others to enjoy it as well.
One story led to another and it quickly became a documentation project to record the city’s ruins and derelict places before they’re gone. It has since spawned two books, documentaries, a growing number of short films, t-shirts, and many imposters.
The motto remains the same – “If it’s verboten it’s got to be fun.”
Some people don’t like that I give addresses to these places. They argue that vandals and visitors are taking their toll. And it’s true – if no one knew of these places then only nature would take its toll.
But the city is a greedy beast. Developers have already destroyed many of the places already featured on this site, and vandals were able to find them long before they ever appeared on Abandoned Berlin. Vandals do not go looking on the Internet for places to vandalize – they’re not that smart.
So I publish the addresses so that people may see these places before they’re gone. We live in a volatile world – there’s no preserving anything the way it was anymore.
It’s only when these buildings are still standing, while they’re rotting and crumbling, that it’s still possible to see them and imagine them as they were in their heyday.
I’ve put together what I hope are useful “How to find” guides, to help people reach them. I like the idea that others get the same kick from visiting these places as I do.
Of course, the thrill of being caught only adds to the pleasure. People who don’t see that miss the point. “Eintritt Verboten” is an invitation, and it should never be refused.
ABANDONED BERLIN FILMS
FEATURED IN
Love this site. Thanks for doing this……wish I was there.
Veri interested, but in German??
The site is all in English, but the books have both German and English texts. Thanks.
is it safe to visit these places ?
Looks like Kladow Casino page is abandoned here:)
(https://abandonedberlin.com/2016/05/kladow-casino.html)
I was there last weekend and the place is still pretty damn nice place to visit. Going to the roof of the building and seeing the Wannsee was really an unique experience.
Thanks HJK! Yes, you’re right. There are a couple of places that haven’t made the journey over to the new site yet – the Kladow Casino is one of them! I need to go there myself, get some new photos, and verify its current status and then I’ll resurrect the page here. Thanks again 🙂
I went on the 30.01.2020 to the Kladow Casino and the main hall entry was still open and beautiful. Two more small rooms were accessible but the back entries with the staircase were closed. I could not get to the roof.
Fantastic work!
I am surprised not to see this place on your map. A hotel for Stasi-agents who’s construction was abruptly ended by the collapse of the GDR.
https://goo.gl/maps/BsDZE1mJMXZp9G6X7
Thanks! I’ll add it to the list! 🙂
I should have added this:
It is still very open to reach. The street “zur Buchheide” has an open gate to it and I have been there countless times and never met any construction workers or security guards.
It is a fantastic mid-stop when having a day at the lake, through the forest and at the Naturtherme Templin nearby.
Enjoy! 🙂
what to do when polices catches you while visiting such kind of place? I was in one of your mentioned place (which after police told me it was private and entering was not allowed) so now I am getting fine and having problems with my visa too. is there anything that I can do?
are you aware of the derelict brutalist 70s school in wedding swinemünder straße 79? it’s woth checking it out
Yes! I suspect it’s the same school that an anonymous person was referring to when they sent an email almost exactly a year ago with a “netter Hinweis” to say we were spotted by a security camera at a school in Wedding. They didn’t say which school, and didn’t respond when asked for more information. Of course we weren’t near any schools in Wedding at the time, but I suspect they were referring to this one. It’s apparently hard to get in.
While that school building is very cool to look at from the outside, i highly doubt there’s a way to get in without breaking and entering from a walk around i did with a friend a few weeks ago. One should also note that according to https://modernruins.de/ the place is filled with asbestos, so unless you want an analog simulation of getting Covid while also possibly going to jail I wouldn’t recommend a visit.
Looks like Abandoned Berlin was also Abandoned / Taken over by capitalism 🙁
Save Abandoned Berlin!
hey there 🙂
My friend and I decided to visit Berlin at the beginning of October. We both have seen the german series “Druck” and that’s why we would love to visit “Haus der Offiziere Wünsdorf-Waldstadt” because the old building with the abandoned pool in there is one of the shooting locations. We tried to reach the given contact person from your website (Jürgen Naumann) several times. After two weeks somebody finally picked up the phone and unfortunately the person didn’t know anything about Mr Naumann and was really confused. Now we don’t know what to do. We would appreciate if you have any other tips how to reach out to Mr Naumann and fix a date for our visit!
Best regards, Theresa
Hi
Is it possible to book a guided tour with you in one of these abandoned buildings?
kindly
Anna
Hi Anna, I’m afraid not!
I don’t do guided tours, but try and provide as much information as I can so that you’ll be able to arrange your own personal explorations.
If you’ve any questions don’t hesitate to get in touch.
Bests,
Spudnik
Hello,
I found about this website recently and I love it! I still haven’t checked out any abandoned place yet, perhaps because of the winter. Any adventurers here would like to join me to discover some places? Feel free to write me an email
[email protected]
Hi, i will be in Berlin next week and i would be happy to join you! I did not find your email though…
Hi there! Anybody in Berlin next week to accompany me on an exploration?
You can contact me here [email protected]
Do you have names of children left there in 1990? How can I find them.
Hi Linda. Are you referring to Kinderheim Makarenko? I’m afraid I don’t have any names, nor do I know where you would check, but I imagine you’d need to go through some government agency and that they will be very careful with what information they give out, rightfully!
Hello, I can’t seem to find a place anymore that I read here. It was a big flat concrete building in a foresty area (I think Stasi/DDR) and in the same area there was another flat building on walking distance so it could be perfectly combined. Do you know which one I mean?
Hi Nick, do you mean the Stasi Hotel? Though I think not as you would have found it already. If you’re looking for Stasi buildings, you’ll find them under the Stasi category: https://abandonedberlin.com/category/stasi/ Or if you can think of any other defining characteristics, that would help!
Wow! Definitely need to learn more history of this place! What caught my eye on the CBS story this morning was the ‘Vogelsang’ book (Having the English translation of this name as ‘Foglesong’) I’m even more interested!