NS-Ordensburg Vogelsang

Current exhibitions

About the museum

The Ordensburg Vogelsang above the Urftsee reservoir was built from 1934 to plans by the architect Clemens Klotz and handed over to Hitler in 1936 together with two other Ordensburgen. Until the outbreak of war in 1939, the NSDAP used the sprawling complex as a training center for the party’s future leaders; many graduates were later involved in crimes in occupied Eastern Europe.

After the Second World War, first the British army and then, from 1950, the Belgian army used the site as the military training area “Camp Vogelsang”. Only after the Belgians withdrew at the end of 2005 did the site become accessible to the public; since 2006 the non-profit Vogelsang IP GmbH has run the grounds as an International Place in the middle of Eifel National Park.

In September 2016 two large permanent exhibitions opened in the converted Forum Vogelsang: the Nazi documentation “Bestimmung: Herrenmensch” (Destiny: Master Race), which examines the architecture, educational ideology and life stories of the so-called Ordensjunker (cadets) in eleven chapters, and the interactive exhibition “Wildnis(t)räume” (Wilderness Spaces/Dreams) of the Eifel National Park Center. More than 250,000 people came in the first year.

Today the site combines historical and political education with nature experiences: guided tours of the listed grounds, a tower climb, temporary exhibitions, a conference center with the former Belgian cinema, plus dining and accommodation round out the program.

Highlights

• Nazi documentation “Bestimmung: Herrenmensch” (Destiny: Master Race) on the training of perpetrators in the Ordensburgen
• Interactive exhibition “Wildnis(t)räume” of the Eifel National Park Center on 2,000 m²
• Listed castle grounds of around 100 hectares with guided tours
• Tower climb with panoramic views over the Urftsee reservoir and the national park
• #WeRememberEifel memorial room
• Former Belgian cultural cinema from the postwar period

Permanent exhibitions

• Bestimmung: Herrenmensch. NS-Ordensburgen zwischen Faszination und Verbrechen – Nazi documentation in eleven chapters on the training of the party’s future leaders in the Ordensburgen and the later deeds of the graduates.
• Wildnis(t)räume – Interactive exhibition of the Eifel National Park Center on the forests, streams and open land of the national park.

Founded

2016

Operated by

Vogelsang IP gemeinnützige GmbH

Director

Thomas Kreyes

Admission & discounts

The foyer and visitor center are freely accessible. Dogs €2. 10% discount with the GästeCard (guest card). Visitors on their birthday get free admission to “Wildnis(t)räume”. Parking €6 per day after 30 minutes; the tower climb and guided tours require separate tickets.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials
• Audio description

Certified under “Reisen für Alle” (Travel for All). Accessible parking spaces approx. 100 m in front of the visitor center, free loaner wheelchairs, elevators to all levels, tactile guidance system indoors and outdoors, Braille, tactile models in the Nazi documentation, induction loop at the information desk. Free media guide with content for blind, deaf and hard-of-hearing visitors and in Easy-to-Read German.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Kids’ birthday parties

Family programs are mainly offered by the Eifel National Park Center on the grounds: app-based puzzle rally “Mit Elfie durch die Wildnis(t)räume” (With Elfie through the Wildnis(t)räume) (ages 5 to 99, approx. 2.5 km, 90–120 minutes, not accessible), ranger discovery tours during the Easter and fall school holidays and birthday parties for up to 10 children. Children under 13 get free admission; the tower climb (177 steps) is not possible for children up to age six.

Getting there & parking

By car, take a parking ticket at the barrier and drive about 2 km to the visitor parking lot.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant
• Museum shop

Panorama restaurant with terrace, shop in the visitor center. Dogs on a leash allowed. Overnight stays on the grounds are possible (youth hostel, guesthouses, camping).

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events

Up to 1,100 guests.

Conference center with panorama hall (up to 200 people), the former Belgian cultural cinema (850 fixed seats, expandable to 1,100) and several seminar rooms for 12–100 people; contact beratung@vogelsang-ip.de.

Plan your visit