One of the highlights of our trip to Germany in August 2024.
A visit to the famous Prisoner of War camp. Colditz
Situated 400 miles (640 km) from any frontier not under Nazi control.
A visit to the famous Prisoner of War camp. Colditz
Situated 400 miles (640 km) from any frontier not under Nazi control.
Colditz Castle is located in the town of the same name. It dates back to the Roman Empire, it has been used for a number of different purposes, but it is famed for being the famous prisoner of war camp.
1829 it became a mental hospital for the “incurably insane.”
For nearly 100 years, the castle served as a psychiatric hospital to treat those who were rich. Between 1914-18, it also housed tuberculosis patients.
1829 it became a mental hospital for the “incurably insane.”
For nearly 100 years, the castle served as a psychiatric hospital to treat those who were rich. Between 1914-18, it also housed tuberculosis patients.
In 1933, the German government converted the castle into a political jail for Jews, Communists, homosexuals and others they deemed to be “undesirable.” Allied prisoners were sent later, following the invasion of Poland.
In May 1943 it was decided that the prison would only be used for British and American officers. Who’d manage to escape from other camps. The Germans thought this camp was virtually inescapable.
Looking out to the prisoners courtyard
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One of our group escaping through a small gap in the brick work.
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German soldiers followed the Geneva Convention at Oflag IV-C. Escapees were punished with solitary confinement, as opposed to execution, and prisoners were allowed access to Red Cross food parcels.
The Wall used to escape.
Colditz Cock
During the winter of 1944-45, prisoners built and kept a glider in the castle’s attic, nicknamed the Colditz Cock. The officers who took part in the project built a false wall to hide the secret space in the attic where they slowly built the glider from stolen pieces of wood.
Intended to be used in an escape but it was never used, the camp was liberated not long after the plane was finished.
During the winter of 1944-45, prisoners built and kept a glider in the castle’s attic, nicknamed the Colditz Cock. The officers who took part in the project built a false wall to hide the secret space in the attic where they slowly built the glider from stolen pieces of wood.
Intended to be used in an escape but it was never used, the camp was liberated not long after the plane was finished.
Fine looking Medieval castle.
Between 2006-07, the walls of Colditz Castle were painted. The rest of the camp was restored to it was before the war started.
After that it become a tourist attraction, and we visited in 2024.
Part of the castle is now a Youth hostel.
After that it become a tourist attraction, and we visited in 2024.
Part of the castle is now a Youth hostel.
