The 10,000 Uninhabited Rooms of Hitler's Hotel Prora

It was only yesterday that I was talking to one of my friends about the grandeur of The Venetian Macau and how it is the largest hotel building I’ve known. But now I stand corrected after having listened to the bizarre tale she had to tell…

So, if I say that a hotel known as Prora is the world’s largest, you will be amazed. But when I add that this mammoth structure actually stretches for about 3 miles across the most perfect sea-facing location, your jaw will drop. However, it is when I mention that this imposing beach resort with its 10,000 rooms has never had a single guest ever - you will rub your eyes with disbelief!

 

Welcome to Hotel Prora

From the fiery flavours of lava-cooked food in Canary Island’s volcanic restaurant that I spoke of last month, today I will take you to a unique hotel in Germany that has been lying vacant for 70 years now. Located in island of Rügen in the Baltic Sea and built between 1936 and 1939, this ambitious project was the brainchild of none other than Adolf Hitler himself. He wanted the "most mighty and large one (sea resort) to ever have existed" which could host 20,000 holidaymakers on a given day. But then World War II happened and rest is history.

 

Hitler’s dream project gone awry…

Wished by Hitler then, the construction of this building started with many promises including fun activities for Germans and the purpose of spreading the Nazi movement. Almost 9000 workers were called to put this structure together. However, in 1939, other war priorities took over and since then the structure of the hotel remains as is. The construction of housing blocks, cinema and even the theatre was left stranded and the prospective plan for making swimming pools and a cultural hall never saw the light of the day. No one has ever stepped inside this hotel. The only guests that Prora ever welcomed were the refugees from Hamburg and Germany who stayed in one of the housing blocks during the allied bombing campaign in 1939. Don’t be surprised if you find some empty rooms with smashed windows here- thanks to the vandals.

 

Also known as…

Some people, especially locals like to address this hotel as - Prora the Colossus - considering it looks no less than a colossal monument. I recently heard that some investors have shown interest in this property. Approximately five blocks have been bought by an anonymous bidder to turn this deserted area into a flourishing holiday resort replete with apartments, cafes, discos, halls and swimming pools. Now, I’m just waiting for that to happen so that I can actually stay in this hotel that has stood the test of time like how!