Vogelsang, once a thriving Soviet garrison and home to nuclear weapons, now lies in ruins and abandoned.
Vogelsang
Vogelsang is located at 16792 Zehdenick, Brandenburg, Germany. To reach Vogelsang one must take the S1 S-Bahn to Oranienburg and then the regional train RB12 to Templin. The abandoned site is located northwest of the railway station. It should be noted that the demolition of the buildings is still in progress.
Expansion of the garrison
Vogelsang is a district of 70 residents in the town of Zehdenick in the Oberhavel region, located about 80 kilometres north of Berlin. Its history dates back to the period after World War II, when, in March 1949, the Soviet Military Administration in Germany ordered the creation of an artillery firing range in the former Reich Nature Reserve of Forst Tangersdorf.
Over the years, the Vogelsang garrison expanded, becoming the site of the 25th Tank Division of the West Group of Soviet Forces in Germany, and the third largest Soviet military base in Germany, accommodating 10,000 soldiers and covering approximately 68 square kilometres, three of which are occupied by buildings.
Role during the Cold War
During the Cold War era, Vogelsang played a significant role in the strategic landscape, hosting the first deployment of Soviet nuclear missiles outside the Soviet Union during the Second Berlin Crisis in May 1959. These missiles, with a range of about 1,200 kilometres, served as a deterrent against Western nuclear deployments near Soviet borders.
The former military town, boasting amenities such as cinemas, clubs, gyms, saunas, schools, hospitals and shops, now lies in ruins, with only a few structures remaining hidden in the woods.
Conclusions
Efforts to redesign Vogelsang after the Soviet withdrawal from Germany in the early 1990s encountered several difficulties, finally opting for the demolition of the few remaining structures and the restoration of the surrounding wooded area.
Matti is not only an urban explorer, but also a historical tour guide in Berlin. Check out his Top 10 abandoned places in and around Berlin: https://www.toursofberlin.com/abandoned-places-berlin
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