Dokumentationszentrum Reichsparteitagsgelände

On Saturday, I picked out a "lake" on the Nürnberg city map and walked to it. It was a pretty long walk. Walked all around a huge park area in a big loop. There was a big arena with a circus tent next to it. It wasn't until the completion of the loop, I realized the entire area was part of the complex of Nazi rally grounds that were being built, but were never finished before and during WWII.



Only one structure of many that were planned was completed - the Zeppelinfield. This is a gigantic field surrounded by low stone stadium seating - now green with grass and moss - on three sides, with one side having a much higher structure on it with a podium that Hitler, etc. would stand on to oversee the parades which took place in the field in the center. The whole structure is in tact, but deliberately run down - with kids skateboarding and rollerblading on it, grafitti, etc.



The most impressive building, though, is the arena.



From the outside, it looked complete, but its actually a hollow shell. The insides of it are open, and rundown.



The exception is the bit of modern architecture which was built to symbolically pierce through the building in an effort to disrespect the original intent of the building while keeping it around for historic reasons. The Dokumentationszentrum Reichsparteitagsgelände is a museum inside one side of the arena, which documents the rise of Hitler and the Nazis to power.

After my walk, I went back there the next day, and I did the rounds through the museum. It was really interesting with lots of cool photos and videos.