It's hard to believe that the leadership of the NS DAP was once trained here
Johannes Höhn, It's hard to believe that the leadership of the NS DAP was once trained here

Vogelsang IP

Schleiden

The 100-hectare site of the former Nazi Ordensburg Vogelsang is located in the middle of the Eifel National Park.
It was once a National Socialist training center - today it is a multifaceted place of experience.

The heart of the complex is the "Forum Vogelsang IP". In this striking building, you can choose between two very different permanent exhibitions:
The award-winning exhibition "Destiny: Master Race" of the Nazi documentation is dedicated to the history of the site.
In the adventure exhibition "Wildnis(t)räume" of the Eifel National Park Center, you can experience the diverse nature of the surrounding Eifel National Park with all your senses.
Both exhibitions are open to visitors all year round.

Guided tours (approx. 90 minutes, registration required) take place all year round.

Between May and October, it is also possible to climb the Vogelsang Tower. The climb up the 177 steep steps is rewarded with an impressive panoramic view of the site and the Eifel National Park.

After so much exercise, you can relax in the panoramic restaurant with Eifel specialties and enjoy the view of the Urftsee lake.

National hiking routes such as the Eifelsteig and the Wilderness Trail run through the area.
The abandoned Wollseifen settlement, around two kilometers away, is a spectacular destination.
A free ranger tour into the national park area starts on Sundays. The meeting point is the giant ranger hat.

The history of Vogelsang:
Vogelsang is now an "International Place", but also a special site of European history. Where the political offspring of a criminal system was to be trained from 1936 onwards is now home to modern exhibition and education centers. After the Second World War, the site was used for decades as part of the Belgian military training area "Camp Vogelsang". Civilian use of the site, which is surrounded by the newly established Eifel National Park, only began in 2006.

Dogs welcome!
Dogs are allowed in the NS documentation, in the visitor center and in the store as well as on the entire outdoor area and must be kept on a leash.

TIP:
By train and bus to Vogelsang IP >>

Make yourself a culture pack!

Space for contrasts: between Nazi history and wild nature

With the Ordensburg Vogelsang, the National Socialists once demonstrated their arrogance and contempt for humanity here. Today, the Vogelsang Forum is an "International Place for Tolerance, Diversity and Peaceful Coexistence" with a wonderful view over the national park.

  • The small town of Schleiden lies in the centre of the Eifel National Park.
  • The National Socialists once demonstrated their arrogance and contempt for humanity here with the Ordensburg Vogelsang. Today, the Vogelsang Forum is an "International Place for Tolerance, Diversity and Peaceful Coexistence" with a wonderful view over the national park. You should take some time to visit the permanent exhibition, which provides information about the history of the site and explores the question of how the greatest crime in European history could happen.
  • The rustling of leaves and twittering of birds welcomes you next door, in the National Park Centre. As soon as you enter the "Wildnis(t)räume" exhibition, you will find yourself in the middle of the primeval forest of tomorrow.
  • The view and the regional products from the Eifel in the Vogelsang restaurant or in the Morsbacher Hof farm café in nearby Schleiden are equally enjoyable.
  • Tip: It's worth taking a look at the Vogelsang IP events calendar before you visit. Interesting guided tours and workshops are organised regularly.
  • Excursion tip: You should definitely make a detour to neighbouring Monschau. Not only a picturesque medieval centre awaits you there, but also an inspiring cultural scene and culinary delights based on regional recipes. Alternative: A hike through the Neffgesbach Valley in the Eifel National Park to the former village of Wollseifen.
  • Overnight tip: Chalets at the Eifel National Park in Schleiden or Art-Hotel-Eifel in Heimbach.

Important information about accessibility: certificates

  • All areas relevant for testing meet the quality criteria of the label "Accessibility certified - accessible for people with walking disabilities and wheelchair users".

    Some information on accessibility are listed below. For detailed information please see the evaluation report at the end of the text.

    • Four marked parking spaces are available for people with disabilities (parking space size: 350 cm x 500 cm; distance to the entrance approx. 170 m).
    • The path between the parking lot or the Vogelsang IP Forum bus stop and the entrance is easy to walk on and drive on and has a maximum gradient of 3 %.
    • Access to the building is step less (door threshold 1.5 cm).
    • All evaluated rooms that are available to the guest are at ground level or accessible by elevator.
    • The elevator in the foyer to the toiletim UG is 135 cm x 245 cm (width x depth).
    • The cash and information counter is 85 cm high at the lowest point. Various guided tours can be booked here.
    • The paths to be used during the tours are sometimes not easy to walk or drive on. Several stages or increases of up to 10 % have to be mastered.

    Public toilet for people with disabilities in the foyer in the basement

    • The manoeuvring space is as follows:
      left of toilet 89 cm x 70 cm, right 88 cm x 70 cm;
      in front of toilet, sink and door 145 cm x 189 cm.
    • Both sides of the toilet are equipped with folding handles.
    • The washbasin is wheelchair compatible and the mirror can be seen while standing or sitting.
    • There is an alarm trigger (cord).

    Public toilet for people with disabilities at the restaurant

    • The manoeuvring space is as follows:
      left of toilet 94 cm x 70 cm, right 97 cm x 70 cm;
      in front of toilet and sink 145 cm x 160 cm;
      at the door 139 cm x 240 cm.
    • Both sides of the toilet are equipped with folding handles.
    • The washbasin is wheelchair compatible and the mirror can be seen while standing or sitting.
    • An alarm trigger (cord) is present.
    Detailed information for people with walking difficulties and wheelchair users
  • All areas relevant for testing meet the quality criteria of the label "Accessibility certified - partially accessible for people with hearing impairment and deaf people".

    Some information on accessibility are listed below. For detailed information please see the evaluation report at the end of the text.

    • There is an audio induction loop.
    • In the event of an audible alarm, no visually perceptible flashing or flashing signal appears.
    • In the elevator (foyer to the toilet), the outgoing emergency call is confirmed visually. Alternatively, stairs are available.
    • Guided tours are offered for people with hearing impairments and deaf people. For guided tours in German Sign Language reservation is required.
    Detailed information for people with hearing impairments and hearing loss
  • All areas relevant for testing meet the quality criteria of the label "Accessibility certified - accessible for people with visual impairments and blind people".

    Some information on accessibility are listed below. For detailed information please see the evaluation report at the end of the text.

    • Assistance dogs are allowed.
    • The entrance is visually rich in contrast and can be recognized by a tactile change of floor covering.
    • The house signage is designed in clearly legible, high-contrast lettering.
    • Glass doors are available in the entrance area. These open automatically, they are marked with safety markings.
    • There are no carousel or rotary doors.
    • Rooms and corridors are brightly lit.
    • In the elevator (foyer to the toilet) the confirmation of an emergency call is made acoustically. The stopping position is announced by speech.
    • Indoors and outdoors, the footpaths are partly marked with tactile markings or the walls can be used as orientation guidelines.
    • Guided tours are offered for visually impaired people and blind people.
    • Guest guides are trained in such a way that guests with visual impairments and blind guests can take part in any guided tour and are responsive to their concerns. An audio guide is available which can be operated independently by people with visual impairment / blind people.
    Detailed information for people with visual impairments and the blind
  • All areas relevant for testing meet the quality criteria of the label "Accessibility certified - accessible for people with cognitive impairments".

    Some information on accessibility are listed below. For detailed information please see the evaluation report at the end of the text.

    • The name and logo are clearly recognizable from the outside.
    • There is no colour or pictorial control system available.
    • There is information in easy language.
    • There are no guided tours offered for guests with cognitive impairments.
    Detailed information for people with walking difficulties and wheelchair users

Important information at a glance

  • Open today
    Monday10:00 - 17:00
    Tuesday10:00 - 17:00
    Wednesday10:00 - 17:00
    Thursday10:00 - 17:00
    Friday10:00 - 17:00
    Saturday10:00 - 17:00
    Sunday10:00 - 17:00

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