“What was the SS falcon yard?” you might ask. The SS falcon yard, or SS-Falkenhof, once stood about 500 meters from the Buchenwald prison camp. Today, only remnants of the foundation are visible. This place served a representational purpose for the SS.
Modeled after Hermann Göring’s Reichs Falconry in Braunschweig, the SS falcon yard included several features. There was an eagle house. Seven large cages housed birds of prey. A grand hall served as a gathering place. This hall included a fireplace built in the old German style, perfect for hunting parties. Living quarters accommodated the falconers who tended the birds.
But the SS falcon yard was more than just a falconry. Additional enclosures housed deer, wild boar, and pheasants. The SS opened the falconry to the public on Sundays starting in 1940. Members of the SS even provided hourly tours. Imagine visiting this place during that time. It was a strange juxtaposition of leisure and terror. The Buchenwald concentration camp was nearby. Yet here, people could admire falcons and other animals.
Between 1943 and 1945, the falconer’s lodge took on a different role. Former members of the French government were imprisoned here. They endured both extended and brief periods of confinement.
After 1945, the SS falcon yard met its end. It was torn down leaving only traces of what once was. The falconer’s lodge experienced a rebirth of sorts. It was rebuilt as a residence in the village of Ulla, not far from Weimar. So while the SS falcon yard is gone, its story remains. It serves as a reminder of the complex history of this area. A place of beauty became intertwined with the horrors of the Nazi regime. As you stand here, consider the layers of history beneath your feet. Think about the falcons that soared above. Remember those who suffered nearby. The SS falcon yard is a silent witness to a dark chapter in human history.