With the Ordensburg Vogelsang high above the Eifel National Park, the National Socialists once demonstrated their inhuman arrogance. Today, the site is an "International Place (IP) for Tolerance, Diversity and Peaceful Coexistence". A place where history can be learnt, nature experienced and the future shaped.
Visitors have the best view of Vogelsang, a place steeped in history, and the beauty of the Eifel National Park from the viewing platform of the 48 metre high Vogelsang Tower. A historic spiral staircase leads up to the top, before the view then sweeps over the grounds in the middle of the densely overgrown forests, where nature has been left to its own devices for 15 years now.
More than 70 years ago, the National Socialists had one of their largest structures ever built here, high above Lake Urft. The complex is still completely intact and is now a listed building. During daily guided tours of the approximately 100-hectare site, which was last used by the Belgian armed forces as a military training area, visitors learn about the history and architecture of Ordensburg Vogelsang.
Crimes in European history
The centrepiece is the modern visitor centre in the historic Vogelsang IP forum, an international meeting place and research facility. The permanent exhibition "Destination: Herrenmensch. Nazi castles between fascination and crime" explores the social question of how the greatest crime in European history could come about. Concrete perpetrator behaviour is examined as well as the perspective of the victims.
However, the Vogelsang IP Forum is not only committed to the past, but also to the present and future. In addition to guided tours of the permanent exhibition, the Vogelsang IP Academy therefore regularly organises workshops, seminars and training courses on historical and political topics. There is also a regular KulturCafé, where people can talk to each other, and events in the nostalgic cinema hall with 1000 seats.
Since the Eifel National Park was founded in 2004, the Vogelsang IP Forum has also been home to the National Park Centre and thus a second large permanent exhibition. Visitors are greeted by the "Sound of Nature" in the "Wildnis(t)räume" exhibition. Trees rustle gently in the wind, birds chirp and leaves rustle softly. Those who are not out and about in the national park with the ranger can experience nature with all their senses and make surprising discoveries. On a total of 2,000 square metres, visitors are guided through fascinating water worlds, they perceive the environment through the compound eye of an insect and suddenly find themselves face to face with a huge red deer, which forms the largest population in the Eifel here with eleven animals per square kilometre. Like the entire Vogelsang IP Forum site, including the catering facilities, visitor and conference centre, the "Wildnis(t)räume" exhibition is also barrier-free. It provides information in four languages about what has happened over the centuries in the "primeval forest of tomorrow". After all, nature is also a key issue for the future.
Space for contrasts: between Nazi history and wild nature
With the Ordensburg Vogelsang, the National Socialists once demonstrated their arrogance and contempt for humanity here. Today, the Vogelsang Forum is an "International Place for Tolerance, Diversity and Peaceful Coexistence" with a marvellous view over the national park.
The small town of Schleiden lies in the centre of the Eifel National Park.
The National Socialists once demonstrated their arrogance and contempt for humanity here with the Ordensburg Vogelsang. Today, the Vogelsang Forum is an "International Place for Tolerance, Diversity and Peaceful Coexistence" with a wonderful view over the national park. You should take some time to visit the permanent exhibition, which provides information about the history of the site and explores the question of how the greatest crime in European history could happen.
The rustling of leaves and twittering of birds welcomes you next door, in the National Park Centre. As soon as you enter the "Wildnis(t)räume" exhibition, you will find yourself in the middle of the primeval forest of tomorrow.
The view and the regional products from the Eifel in the Vogelsang restaurant or in the Morsbacher Hof farm café in nearby Schleiden are equally enjoyable.
Tip: It's worth taking a look at the Vogelsang IP events calendar before you visit. Interesting guided tours and workshops are organised regularly.
Excursion tip: You should definitely make a detour to neighbouring Monschau. Not only a picturesque medieval centre awaits you there, but also an inspiring cultural scene and culinary delights based on regional recipes. Alternative: A hike through the Neffgesbach Valley in the Eifel National Park to the former village of Wollseifen.
Overnight tip: Chalets at the Eifel National Park in Schleiden or Art-Hotel-Eifel in Heimbach.
