Didn’t the Russenwiese once echo with the footsteps of thousands? Today this clearing is a peaceful meadow. But its past holds stories of war and suffering. This is the Russenwiese. It is a 15-hectare clearing in the Forsthof wood. The Russenwiese lies a few kilometers from Fischbach and Zerzabelshof. You can reach it via unpaved forest roads.
The name “Russenwiese” became common after World War I. During the war, it was a camp for Russian prisoners of war. The Russenwiese then became a place of forced labor.
Around 1938, large tent camps were set up during the Nazi Party rallies. These camps were for Werkschar and KdF program participants. A fire protection police report from 1939 mentions 24,000 men. They occupied the Russenwiese camp from September 5 to 12, 1938.
During World War II, the Gestapo ran a work education camp here. From October 1942 to August 1943, about 2,000 prisoners were held here. Most were Eastern Europeans forced to work. Conditions in this camp were similar to those in concentration camps. Paul Ohler from the Nuremberg Higher Regional Court was sentenced to seven years in prison. He was involved in the atrocities here.
In 1943, over 600 British bombers attacked Nuremberg at night. The Russenwiese camp was hit. Victims were buried in mass graves at the Nuremberg Southern Cemetery. The camp was then moved to Langenzenn.
Some witnesses reported forced abortions on Polish forced laborers. These terrible acts add to the dark history of the Russenwiese.
Today nature has reclaimed the Russenwiese. Flora and small fauna thrive here. Light and noise pollution have prevented larger animals from returning. The meadow is mowed once a year. Nothing reminds us of its recent past or historical diversity. People and animals now use the Russenwiese for recreation.
Several cycling and hiking trails cross the area. Camping and campfires are not allowed. This is due to waste disposal issues, potential fecal contamination, fire risk, and disturbance to breeding birds. The Russenwiese is now a place of peace.
The Russenwiese serves as a reminder of darker times. It reminds us to remember the victims of war and oppression. Let us honor their memory by striving for a more just and peaceful world. The Russenwiese has transformed from a site of suffering. It is now a place where nature and people can coexist. It is a testament to resilience and the power of healing.