-
by rhodes, a view of the enormous nazi sea resort in Prora
Three years before the outbreak of WW II, Hitler ordered the construction of what is, until now, the largest concrete building ever build up in Germany, an enormous sea resort along the Baltic coast, also called “The Colossus of Prora”.
This building complex was one of the “Strength through Joy” (Kraft durch Freude or KdF) projects and the first prototype of a massive sea resort, a perfect tool to keep under control masses and, at the same time, spread Nazi propaganda.
In fact, architecture was a fundamental propaganda tool for the Nazis, as they considered monumental buildings to be a reflection of the new German state.
As a part of the Nazi scheme of social engineering, Prora represents the clearest surviving example of the Nazi’s “think big” attitude in regards to architecture.
The complex, roughly 150 m from the beach, extends over a length of 4,5 km and houses 11,463 identical sea-view rooms, arranged in 8 identical six-story blocks of steel-reinforced concrete, each one the length of five football fields (see aerial pictures).
Continue reading