Vogelsang is an attraction in the area of the city Schleiden.
Background / story
- During the Nazi era, the "Ordensburg Vogelsang" was built by the German Workers' Front. It was supposed to become a kind of cadre forge for the Nazi regime. As a result of the Second World War, "training operations" could only be maintained for three years; the plans could only be partially carried out.
- The "Ordensburg" was largely spared from war damage.
- After the US conquered the area, it was used for military purposes by the occupying powers, by the United Kingdom since 1946 and by the 1950s Belgium. War damage was repaired and some buildings that remained unfinished under Nazi rule were completed.
- 2006 the site remains from Eifel National Park left out; it was expanded to become the national park's central visitor center.
- The next town is Schleiden-Morsbach
getting there
Airports
- The Cologne Bonn Airport can be reached in 2 1/2 hours by local public transport during rush hour; one drives from Cologne to the train stop Kall.
- The Düsseldorf International Airport can be reached in 3 hours by local public transport during rush hour. You drive the train stops from Düsseldorf Aachen (continue with the bus over Simmerath) or Kall at.
- The Maastricht / Aachen Airport can be reached by public transport in 3 1/4 hours during rush hour. You can take the train from Beek to Aachen, continue with buses over Simmerath.
Rur shipping
From the Urft Dam it is 15 km by car or 5 km on foot
By train
The next DB stop is Kall, 10 km away. To the Rurtalbahn in Heimbach it is also about 10 km, both on foot
buses
The breakpoint Walberhof is served by the regional bus routes 63 Simmerath - Schleiden and 82 Kall-Vogelsang approached. Some buses on the 83 line also run Vogelsang IP cultural cinema and Vogelsang IP Forum at. The path from the IP Forum bus stop to the visitor center has been expanded for the walking and visually impaired.
road
The B 266 Aachen - Koblenz leads Vogelsang past. The parking lot directly on the federal road (Walberhof) is free of charge, but 2 km away from Forum Vogelsang. The main car park, 500 m from the main building, costs € 4 per day, as does the parking spaces in the outbuildings.
Tourist Attractions
Vogelsang IP exhibitions
- Exhibition of Nazi documentation Vogelsang: A very recommendable exhibition about the history of the Order Castle and its role in the Third Reich. The exhibition is designed for the walking, visually and hearing impaired.
- Exhibition Ordensburg Vogelsang. E-mail: [email protected]. Open: daily 10 am-5pm, December 24th. and 31.12. until 14 O 'clock.Price: Adults: € 8, reduced: € 4, family: € 18, free up to 12 years, combined ticket for both exhibitions € 12.
- Experience the wilderness exhibition: The Eifel National Park Center with 2,000 m² of interactive exhibition space. Just like the NS exhibition, it can be experienced by the walking, hearing and visually impaired.
- Exhibition wilderness dreams. E-mail: [email protected]. Open: daily 10 am-5pm, December 24th. and 31.12. until 14 O 'clock.Price: Adults: € 8, reduced: € 4, free up to 7 years, family € 18, combined ticket for both exhibitions: € 12.
- Rotkreuz Museum: The museum, located in a former comradeship house, is one of the largest of the Red Cross in Europe. The exhibition is about human rights, humanitarian international rights and the international work of the Red Cross.
- Rotkreuz Museum Humanitarium. Open: May 1st to October 31st, Sat, Sun, public holidays.Price: € 3, reduced € 2, families € 6, free up to 12 years, groups: € 2 p. P.
More buildings
- Water tower: From the water tower (also known as the Vogelsangturm), after climbing the 145 steps, you have a beautiful view of Vogelsang itself, as well as the national park and the neighboring towns. The tower can only be visited as part of a guided tour:
- Guided tour of the Vogelsang Tower. Tickets must be purchased at the visitor center. The maximum group size is 15 people.Open: April-October: Mon-Fri 13:00; Sat, Sun, public holidays 12: 00-16: 00 every full hour; Winter different.Price: € 6 p. P.
- swimming pool: The swimming pool from 1937 is almost completely original. It can be floated again after extensive renovations. More under activities.
guides
There are several open tours for the exhibitions and the site. These can be on this website can be viewed. There are also guided tours that can be booked for groups. these can here can be viewed and here get booked.
Wollseifen settlement
The Wollseifen settlement was evacuated under British rule and is 3 km from the main car park. The church ruins of St. Rochus (17th century) still exist from the original settlement. Other buildings were built by the Belgians; they were used to practice house-to-house fighting.
activities
- Visit to the swimming pool: Vogelsang swimming pool. Open: Please refer to the website for the changing opening times.Price: adults € 3, up to 15 years € 2.50, free up to 5 years.
- Walk between the plants.
- Walk the signposted plateau circular path (2 km).
- The 1 Victor Nels Bridge visit: c.a. 1 km from the main building
- Hiking on the Dreiborn plateau and on to the Urtsee, the Rursee and Gemünd
- Cycling
security
The signs and barriers with regard to the nearby military training area must be observed. The terrain is still with Glass mines contaminated from the 2nd World War.
shop
There's a big one in the visitor center Museum shop. Otherwise the shopping possibilities are limited.
kitchen
- A cafeteria has been set up at Forum Vogelsang; not all visitors are satisfied with the range and price.
- The outside cafeteria at the Adlerhof is not always open
- It is recommended to take one of beverages and food with you, because the footpaths ex. after Wollseifen and the Walberhof car park, it may take more time than expected and there are no other places to stop for a break.
nightlife
accommodation
- K 13 - The guest house, Vogelsang 92, 53937 Schleiden. E-mail: [email protected]. Price: double p.p. 25 €, single p.p. 35 €; Please refer to the website for prices for meals.
Practical advice
Dogs must be kept on a leash on the premises.
literature
Purpose: master man. NS-Ordensburgen between fascination and crime: Sandstein Verlag, Dresden 2016, 384 pages. Museum edition (flap brochure): ISBN 978-3-95498-244-8 , Book trade edition (bound): ISBN 978-3-95498-220-2
The NS-Ordensburg Vogelsang: Sandstein Verlag, Dresden 2016, 80 pages. ISBN 978-3-95498-245-5
Various brochures that you can either take with you on site or here can be downloaded free of charge.
Web links
http://www.vogelsang-ip.de/de/ - Vogelsang's official website
