Welcome To The Creepiest Hospital In Europe
The Beelitz-Heilstätten Hospital is one of the few places that lives up to its spooky appearance. Located near Berlin, this sanatorium has captivated travelers and urban explorers since it was abandoned in the late 1990s—but anyone visiting the site will find that they're not alone.
It's said that this old hospital complex is still haunted by the souls of the departed, but the real history of this abandoned sanatorium is more chilling than any ghost story.
The Origins Of Beelitz-Heilstätten Hospital
The Beelitz-Heilstätten hospital was built in 1898 and was made up of 60 different buildings. Up until 1930, the complex operated as a sanatorium for lung diseases like tuberculosis.
This was during the height of the industrial revolution, and while the revolution was a period of economic growth for the world, poor sanitary conditions in factories and lack of overall nutrition made it easy for people to catch deadly illnesses—tuberculosis was the most common illness and was rampant in major cities like Berlin.
The German government built sanatoriums to treat people who were infected by tuberculosis and other lung diseases, which led to the creation of the Beelitz-Heilstätten complex.
Chad W, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Treatment At Beelitz-Heilstätten
The Beelitz-Heilstätten hospital complex is located about 45 kilometers (30 miles) from Berlin, in the forest near Beelitz. This location was chosen for the clean air that was thought to help those suffering from tuberculosis. As part of their treatment regimen, patients spent a lot of time outdoors.
Unknown Author, Wikimedia Commons
Hospital Rules
Men and women were kept on separate sides of the complex and patients were not allowed to visit those of the opposite gender. Since tuberculosis is infectious and causes people to cough up lots of mucus, patients had to carry a container to spit their phlegm into.
Spitting was not allowed on the grounds of the hospital and the patients’ containers were emptied at specific spots. This all was meant to stop the spread of infectious diseases in the complex.
The Architecture Of Beelitz-Heilstätten Hospital
Walking through the different buildings of the complex, it’s easy to imagine how grand Beelitz-Heilstätten sanatorium was in its heyday. Spacious rooms with high ceilings and large windows are a staple of the buildings, and the decorative ironwork and mosaic tiles inside were meant to convey a sense of luxury and comfort to patients.
But more than just looking nice, the open-concept design was meant to provide good airflow for patients with lung diseases. The buildings were also outfitted with a special ventilation system, making Beelitz-Heilstätten one of the most innovative sanatoriums of its time.
O Palsson, CC BY 2.0,Wikimedia Commons
A City For The Sick
The Beelitz-Heilstätten complex was so large that it operated like a small village—it had its own bakery, butcher shop, restaurant, beer garden, and laundromats. It even had more leisurely comforts like a beer garden and restaurant. The hospital even had its own small power plant, which generated enough heat to keep the snow from settling on the grounds of the complex. Yet even as the sanatorium was flourishing, the tides of war were slowly edging closer.
Beelitz-Heilstätten During WWI
World War I changed everything, including the Beelitz-Heilstätten sanatorium. With its state-of-the-art medical technology and ability to house 1,200 patients, the complex proved to be an ideal location for an army field hospital.
The hospital was reopened as a sanatorium after the conflict, but it would return to being an army hospital in WWII and remain as such until its eventual abandonment.
Wendelin Jacober, Wikimedia Commons
A Visit From The Führer
Many soldiers were treated at Beelitz-Heilstätten, but the most notable—or infamous—of them is Adolf Hitler. As a young soldier, during the Battle of the Somme, he was injured in the leg and later received treatment at the hospital.
Bundesarchiv, CC BY-SA 3.0 DE, Wikimedia Commons
A New Army Moves In
In 1945, the Russian army occupied Beelitz-Heilstätten. For the next 50 years, it was used as an army hospital. The complex was also a place of refuge for government officials and Communist party members who needed asylum.
Abandoned
After the fall of the Berlin wall and the reunification of Germany, the Russians abandoned their operations at Beelitz-Heilstätten. By 1995, the complex was completely abandoned, falling into decay as the passed by.
In more recent years, the empty buildings and spooky backdrop of the forest have attracted photographers and urban explorers who seek to witness the hospital’s haunting beauty.
Johann H. Addicks, GFDL 1.2, Wikimedia Commons
A New Purpose
In addition to catching the eye of artists and thrill-seekers, Beelitz-Heilstätten has also captivated filmmakers. The spooky atmosphere of the hospital proved to be the perfect set for films such as The Pianist (2002), Valkyrie (2008), and A Cure For Wellness (2016).
Canal Plus, The Pianist (2002)
Visiting Beelitz-Heilstätten
In 2015, the government recognized the need to preserve the Beelitz-Heilstätten complex. Since then, it has been guarded and many parts of the hospital have been sealed off to visitors. However, a canopy path was built to make it easier to explore the complex, and there are still buildings that are open for those who seeking a little more adventure.
Doris Antony, Berlin, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
The Legacy Of Beelitz-Heilstätten Hospital
Beelitz-Heilstätten Hospital is a hauntingly beautiful relic of the past. Whether you’re a photographer, a thrill-seeker, or just someone who’s interested in seeing the abandoned hospital for yourself, you're in for an unforgettable experience with a visit to this site.
