Far from the bustling city, do you sense a hint of mystery in the air here at Aussichtspunkt Gosener Berge? We are about to uncover tales of spies and hidden bunkers. Aussichtspunkt Gosener Berge offers more than just a scenic view. It holds secrets from the days of the German Democratic Republic.
Once upon a time, this area was home to a Schulungslager, a training camp, for the DDR-Staatssicherheit. This was the infamous Stasi. Hidden among the trees, the Gosener Berge concealed bungalows and within the hills, two old bunkers lay waiting. These bunkers served as clandestine operational hubs for the Stasi.
Even now, years after the Berlin Wall fell, a sense of secrecy lingers around Aussichtspunkt Gosener Berge. It is almost as if the very stones could whisper long-held secrets. Today, the Stadtgüter Berlin manages the area. This vast property includes 190 rooms, nine holiday homes, an old swimming hall, and a sports hall with a sports field. Part of the buildings now belong to the Hotel- und Konferenzzentrum Gosen.
But this is not the Aussichtspunkt Gosener Berge’s only claim to fame. The tour to Aussichtspunkt Gosener Berge begins at a historic crossroads in the village center near the church. In 1752, Friedrich II ordered the construction of this site to settle spinners and weavers from Pfalz and Württemberg. This crossroads marks the starting point of our journey into the heart of local history.
From the village center, our path leads us onto Eichwalder Straße. We pass the church and the newly renovated old village school. Further along, you would have seen the house of the late painter Richard Schmidt adorned with fantasy images, and the last of what were once 50 mulberry trees.
As Eichwalder Straße curves to the left, we reach Uferplatz. From there, the trail continues straight to the Kita. This Kita was once the office building for the Kalksandsteinfabrikanten. If you turn right into Eichwalder Ausbau there is a Lorendamm overgrown with trees and shrubs. The hiking route runs parallel to the Seddinsee.
At the bathing spot, hikers face a choice. They can brave the ascent up the nearly 80-meter-high mountain or choose the path near the shore. Both paths will eventually converge. Those who opt to climb the Aussichtspunkt Gosener Berge must enter the fenced-in hotel grounds behind the bathing spot.
The path takes you past wooden bungalows and behind the last bungalow. An inconspicuous stone slab path leads directly along the “crater” of the former mining area. Solid footwear is recommended. Within this enormous pit, you’ll find commercial buildings and the bunker complex. The narrow path descends back down to the Seddinsee. Turning right past the dachas, follow the signs around Aussichtspunkt Gosener Berge.
Eventually, the trail meets the extended Eichwalder Straße again. Here, impressive views open up onto the wetlands of the Wernsdorfer See. This body of water once stretched to the slopes of Aussichtspunkt Gosener Berge. Now, two viewing platforms offer stunning vistas.
Before its days as a Stasi training ground, Aussichtspunkt Gosener Berge boasted a different attraction. In 1905, the “Schillerwarte,” a popular destination was built on the summit. By 1906, the Schillerwarte included an observation tower. It offered panoramic views of the surrounding area.
During the final days of World War II, the Schillerwarte suffered damage. It took a hit on its east side. After the war, the restaurant was reduced to a beverage stand. Yet, for a small fee, the observation tower remained open.
Sadly, in 1957, the beverage stand closed, and the Schillerwarte fell into disrepair. Then, in the early 1970s, the Ministry for State Security and the Ministry of the Interior of the DDR took over and closed off the area.
In July 1988, the facility went into operation. But history soon caught up with the Stasi. After the fall of the Berlin Wall, there were attempts to transform the former Stasi property. It was planned to develop it into a hotel and conference center. This project ultimately failed.
Since January 2007, the Paasche AG has been developing the property. They are transforming it into an attractive residential location with high standards. And now you stand on this very spot. At Aussichtspunkt Gosener Berge, history and nature intertwine. They create a unique landscape with stories etched into its hillsides.