To those who served in the NATO military Vogelsang may be well known, for others it’s just another town in the German Eiffel area in the vicinity of the tourist town, Moschau. Few tourists are aware of the presence of the Vogelsang Ordensburg.

Vogelsang Castle, a historical site in the Eifel National Park in North Rhine-Westphalia, once served as a training ground for Nazi political leaders from 1936 to 1939. Today, this preserved landmark spanning 50,000 square meters is open to the public, offering a glimpse into a significant architectural remnant of Nazi Germany. The complex includes camaraderie houses for a hundred individuals, a sports field featuring sports-themed relief, and a gymnasium. The doors to this complex were opened to visitors on January 1, 2006.

During a speech in 1933 near Berlin’s Bernau, Adolf Hitler called for the establishment of new schools aimed at educating the offspring of Nazi Party leaders. This task was entrusted to Robert Ley, the “Reichsorganisationsleiter” (Reich Organizational Leader) of the NSDAP, who oversaw the creation and operation of four educational camps known as “NS-Ordensburgen,” which translates to “Castles of the Nazi Military Order.” These were Ordensburg Krössinsee in Pomerania, Ordensburg Sonthofen in Allgäu, Ordensburg Vogelsang in Eifel, and a planned fourth one, Ordensburg Marienburg, in West Prussia.

To fund the construction of Ordensburg Vogelsang, primarily located within the Schleiden district, resources were obtained through the expropriation of trade unions and employers’ associations. The architectural planning for the Krössinsee and Vogelsang projects was awarded to Clemens Klotz, an architect based in Cologne. The Eifel-based structures, collectively known as the “NS-Ordensburg” from 1935, began with the construction of the Vogelsang ‘Castle.’ Remarkably, this initial phase, employing up to 1,500 workers, was completed within just two years. Ambitious plans included larger structures such as the grand “House of Knowledge” (Haus des Wissens), measuring a vast 100 meters by 300 meters, a “Kraft durch Freude” hotel with a capacity for 2,000 beds, and the most extensive sports facilities in Europe. However, construction came to a halt with the onset of war.

The majority of the sculptures at Vogelsang, including “Fackelträger” (Torch Bearer), “Der deutsche Mensch” (The German Man), “Adler” (Eagle), and the “Sportlerrelief” (Sportsmen Relief), were crafted by Willy Meller. Sadly, the wooden sculpture “Der deutsche Mensch” vanished in 1945, while the other sculptures have been preserved but bear partial damage.

After a visit by Adolf Hitler in 1937, Doric pillars were added to the entrance gate, although they held no functional purpose, reportedly upon Hitler’s personal initiative.

Willy Meller’s work, “Fackelträger,” can be found at the Sonnenwendplatz (Solstice Square), accompanied by the inscription: “You are the torch bearers of the nation; You carry on the light of the spirit in the fight for (Adolf Hitler (unreadable)).”

Since 1936, Vogelsang has been an Educational Castle of the NSDAP. On April 24, 1936, the three Ordensburgen were formally handed over to Adolf Hitler, and later, the first 500 Orden Junkers (cadets) moved into Vogelsang from various parts of Germany. These cadets, mostly in their mid-twenties, had to meet rigorous entrance criteria, including a probationary period of party work, excellent physical health, proof of descent, and evidence of work and military service. Vogelsang indoctrinated its cadets with the belief that they constituted a new elite possessing an innate right to power. However, the outbreak of the war led to the suspension of all training programs.

Many Vogelsang students, staunch believers in Aryan superiority, enlisted in the army. They assumed administrative roles in occupied territories such as Poland, Ukraine, Belarus, and the Baltic states, becoming involved in ethnic cleansing campaigns and other wartime atrocities. The curriculum emphasized Nazi racial theories, geopolitics, and intensive sports education, particularly focused on equitation.

The daily timetable

When World War II began in September 1939, the Orden Junkers left, and Vogelsang Castle was handed over to the German army (Deutsche Wehrmacht), which utilized it twice for accommodating troops: first in 1940 during the western campaign, and again in December 1944 during the Ardennes offensive. During this period, Vogelsang hosted a few classes from the so-called Adolf-Hitler-Schools. In 1944, a military fitness camp for 15- and 16-year-old members of the Hitler Youth (Hitler-Jugend) was held on the premises. Unfortunately, some buildings, including the east wing and the gymnasium, were destroyed in Allied air raids.

Following the war, the Belgian military authorities reconstructed the buildings that had been damaged. The surviving structures, stripped to bare brickwork, were given practical functions. For instance, the foundation walls intended for the “House of Knowledge” (Haus des Wissens) were repurposed to create the Van Dooren barrack block, and the adjacent basement, originally designed as an auditorium, was transformed into a cinema that could accommodate an audience of over 200. The decorations were altered, with the swastikas—the emblems of the Third Reich—being removed.

Since the cessation of its role as a military training area in 2006, Vogelsang has been accessible to the public during daytime hours. The surrounding area is used for hiking trails. Future plans for the complex include housing the administration of the National Park Eifel, establishing a visitor center, and hosting an exhibition in the Castle. The “Van Dooren” barracks block is slated for demolition as the accommodations are no longer necessary, while the cinema and other structures remain intact.

In 2016, the German government announced intentions to utilize some of the Vogelsang Barracks blocks to accommodate migrant refugee claimants. A significant aspect of a £40 million revitalization project is the opening of an exhibition aimed at educating younger generations against fascism. This display portrays how ordinary individuals were conditioned by the Nazis to harbor hatred towards Jews and other groups labeled as inferior.

What drew people to places like Vogelsang during the National Socialist era? What promises did the party leadership make to young men who joined, shaping their aspirations for the future? What fueled their ambitions for social advancement? Were they simply molded to partake in heinous acts through rigorous training, or did they retain the power to refuse? Did they identify with the concept of a superior race and act accordingly?

The exhibition “Destiny: Master Race” doesn’t seek to provide simplistic answers. Its primary goal is to stimulate contemplation, just as the questions raised above do, sparking fresh perspectives and ideas among our visitors. We believe in the importance of asking these thought-provoking questions, even if they may seem unsettling when delving into the history of National Socialism.

To gain a deeper understanding of how Europe’s most terrible crimes came to pass, we must scrutinize the people of that era—their beliefs, influences, and actions. Our realization is that by focusing on individual agency and concrete actions, we can unlock doors to comprehending the broader narrative.

Why we consider a visit worthwhile.

The place is impressive by it’s size and it’s amazing architecture. Even by today’s standards the architecture is remarkable. If you imagine people passing the gates, 90 years ago, they must have believed it was the start of something great to happen. Creating the impression that people were part of something great, they were receptable to Nazi ideas, resulting in the willingness to obey the most horrific orders.

A visit to Ordernsburg Vogelsang is definitely worthwhile a small detour.