The Officers’ House in the Zossen district of Wünsdorf in Brandenburg is one of Germany’s most impressive military-historical monuments. Its history dates back to the early 20th century. The monumental, Neo-Baroque building complex has existed since its completion between 1914 and 1916.
From the German Empire to a Soviet Garrison
Originally founded during the German Empire as a state-of-the-art gymnastics facility, the prestigious Army Sports School moved here in 1919. In the 1930s, the Nazis expanded the surrounding area into the strategic headquarters of the Wehrmacht. After World War II, the site underwent a radical transformation. From 1945 to 1994, the complex served as the glamorous cultural center of the Group of Soviet Forces in Germany.
As the heart of the “Forbidden City, ” which was strictly off-limits to GDR citizens, the House of Officers housed magnificent banquet halls, its own theater , and an imperial swimming hall for up to 75,000 stationed Soviet citizens. In front of the entrance, a massive statue of Lenin still stands as a testament to that era. After the withdrawal of Russian troops in 1994, the site fell into disrepair and became a well-known, magical “lost place,” which is now a protected historic site.
Legal tour of the Book Town
Although the fenced-in grounds are strictly guarded for security reasons, the historic site is once again open to the public today. The Officers’ House can be accessed via the Bücher- und Bunkerstadt Wünsdorf. The local tourism association offers—often in cooperation with specialized tour operators—the opportunity to enter the restricted grounds as part of authorized guided tours and guided hikes.
Guided tours are offered for those interested in history, while photographers on special photo tours (so-called “photo bases”) are also given several hours to legally and safely capture the morbid beauty of the theater hall and the swimming pool with their cameras. Advance registration through Bücherstadt is therefore mandatory for admission.
And always remember: anyone visiting the Officers’ House must not forget the Lost Place Code : Leave nothing but footprints, take nothing but pictures. Nothing may be altered, willfully destroyed, or taken away as a “souvenir.” Have fun exploring!
📍Hauptallee 117, 15806 Zossen, Germany
