30 km from Berlin lies a sanatorium founded in 1896 on around 34 hectares – once a tuberculosis clinic and location for German horror films, today a dilapidated lost place

The Grabowsee Lung Sanatorium is located in the district of Oberhavel in Brandenburg, around 30 km north of Berlin, in the urban area of Oranienburg. Surrounded by dense forest, the Malzer Weg leads directly to the site. What you see there is a picture of decay: many empty buildings, partially collapsed roofs, broken windows, damp and a dilapidated backdrop that stretches to the horizon. Only a few people still know that this lost place, which is known throughout Germany, was once the first pulmonary sanatorium for tuberculosis in the North German Plain.

Grabowsee lung sanatorium

In 1896, the sanatorium was founded by the German Red Cross / People’s Sanatorium Association as an experimental facility to test whether tuberculosis could also be treated in the north German lowlands. Until then, cures for lung diseases were thought to be effective primarily through mountain air or a warm climate. At the beginning, the lung sanatorium had around 200 beds and was modern for the time: Pavilion buildings, plenty of daylight, peace and quiet, fresh air, therapy facilities and other amenities characterized the grounds. The complex extended over 30 to 34 hectares and comprised numerous buildings: patient and ward blocks, operating theaters and treatment rooms, administration building, admissions building, director’s villa, doctors’ apartments, gatehouse, chapel (partially destroyed), heating and water tower, gardener’s house, lake water pump house and others. Architecturally, the pavilion style is combined with later extensions in the New Objectivity and Expressionist styles.

In 1920, the Grabowsee lung sanatorium was handed over to the Brandenburg State Insurance Institute. Under the direction of architect Arnold Beschoren, conversions and extensions were carried out, increasing the capacity to around 420 beds. After the Second World War, the Soviet Army took over the facility, which from then on was used as a military clinic or military hospital. With the withdrawal of the troops in the early 1990s, the site was abandoned and has since fallen into disrepair.

In 1994, the Grabowsee lung sanatorium was placed under a preservation order. Since then, around 15 of the 30 remaining buildings have been officially recognized as cultural monuments. The site is popular with lost-place photographers and urban explorers. The dilapidated complex also served as a filming location for the German horror film “Heilstätten” (2018) and continues to be used for photo and film projects. The Kids Globe e.V. association is working to revive and use the site, for example for academic purposes or to support young people.

It is not legally permitted to enter the site: Warning signs, fences and a tenant, Bernhard Hanke, who should be reachable via a contact, should prevent this. There is a high risk of accidents on the site due to decay, loose components, missing floors, unevenness and other hazards. Plans for reuse and conversion have not yet been implemented as they are associated with various difficulties, including investor issues, financing and monument protection requirements.