Prora: From the dream destination to the ghost town-what happened to the Baltic Sea pearl?

Prora: From the dream destination to the ghost town-what happened to the Baltic Sea pearl?

Prora, Deutschland - The Baltic Sea is very popular among German vacationers. In 2022, the Baltic Sea Islands and Hiddensee counted around 1.4 million tourists. But the tourist potential of Prora, a historical complex at Binz, remains unused. This formerly planned KDF complex, whose construction was stopped in 1939 due to the Second World War, is avoided by travelers and has attracted fewer and fewer visitors in recent years. Derwesten.de reports that most blocks are empty in Prora.

originally designed by the architect Clemens Klotz to enable cheap vacation for German workers, the facility was designed for a total of 10,000 guest rooms, all with a sea view. However, the construction was not untouched after the war: the Red Army and later the National People's Army (NVA) of the GDR used the site. The complex has been open to the public since 1993, and in 1994 it was listed. However, plans to create a modern holiday location and to deal with the history of National Socialism seem to have stalled. The development has remained behind the expectations and the facilities do not offer the desired sense of welcome. Problems in the tourist infrastructure are evident.

economic challenges

In 2024, the Prora Center reported bankruptcy, which further dampens the perspectives for tourist development. These challenges are also reflected in the economic situation: the average square meter price for real estate in Prora is 5,741 euros. Despite these difficulties, there are still positive voices among the business owners. For example, Mohammed Ali Abid, who sells ice cream, and the operators of the "Patcus" café are optimistic about future development.

A sign of the possibilities of the location is Block III, where the museum mile Prora is located, which houses various museums. In 2001 the Documentation Center Prora was also opened, which deals intensively with the history of the KDF Sebad. The Denk-Mal-Prora initiative is actively working to process the history of the place and to raise awareness of the previous usage traditions.

future prospects

The tourist attractiveness of Prora is not only in the recovery by the sea, but also in the mediation of historical content. Every year, sand sculpture exhibitions take place in the complex that attract many visitors and reflect the potential of the place. Nevertheless, the growing feeling of the "private" character in the renovated buildings remains a challenge that needs to be overcome.

Prora has changed from a complex that was originally planned as a holiday resort to a place that is strongly shaped by its historicality. The question remains whether the necessary structural and social changes can be realized in order to make this unique location a sought -after tourist attraction again. The coming years will be decisive for the future of Prora and its historical objects.