New Urban Relics
februari 13, 2026
Read moreWhen we go further afield, like in this particular case the former East Germany, we prefer making an entire weekend of it, so that we can still take plenty of time to admire and photograph all the beautiful things and don’t spend more time driving than exploring…
Overview
Sweet Hereafter
Our first stop took us to an old sugar factory, where sugar was extracted from sugar beets. It was an impressive sight, and we easily spent several hours there. Entering the grounds and buildings was surprisingly easy. That’s usually not a good sign… After all, it means vandals and graffiti artists can easily get in and out. Nevertheless, the factory is remarkably well-preserved.
Sunshine Hospital
This imposing, largely empty, yet remarkably beautiful, dilapidated children’s hospital was second on our itinerary. Originally built as a sanatorium for children with tuberculosis, it was later transformed into a children’s hospital after tuberculosis was almost completely eradicated thanks to vaccinations.
Here too, we easily accessed the grounds and the building. Despite the emptiness, we still had a great time wandering around and looking for nice shots.
Kürhotel
The first two locations went very smoothly. At this spa hotel, the cards were dealt a slightly different hand… Thanks to the glorious weather and the property’s location near a picturesque lake, surrounded by nature, there were many hikers out and about. Two figures dressed in black with large backpacks and tripods quickly caught the eye.
We finally found a way to squeeze in. After taking a few photos on the ground floor, we headed higher up. It soon became clear that the hotel wasn’t as empty as the outside suggested… To avoid the risk of suddenly bumping into an unexpected resident, we cut our visit short.
Schimmelkirche
A visit to a church is a must on any good road trip. Our religious needs were met with this last location on the first day. A remarkable church. The church section was located on the first floor, while the ground floor housed an entire apartment. A few years ago, the church narrowly escaped demolition when it became the subject of an architectural project. That died a quiet death, and the decay in this church continues unabated…
Villa Lohden
The psychiatric institution, which we had planned as the first location for day two, failed. But nearby, we found this abandoned villa/mansion, where the child psychiatry unit was located before it moved to the new building. The villa was largely empty, but had undergone a beautiful natural decline. Not a bad consolation prize…
Hotel Hollywood
This former inn used to house a ‘Kammer-Lichtspiele’ (Chamber Light Show). A cinema, in other words. The cinema has unfortunately been demolished, but we were still able to visit the inn. And so we did…
Hermann Duncker
Undoubtedly the highlight of day two was this imposing ‘Erholungsheim’ (Vacationing Facility), or in full: FDGB-Erholungsheim Hermann Duncker. The building has served various purposes throughout its history, but was originally built as a spa hotel in this healthy, wooded setting. The decay and the way nature has forced its way inside are impressive. The building has been empty since the fall of the Berlin Wall…
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