Wünsdorf, Military complex in Zossen, Germany.
Wünsdorf is a former military complex in Zossen with dozens of buildings connected by underground tunnels and reinforced concrete bunkers spread across a large area. The site contains barracks, administrative structures, and sophisticated communication facilities built during different military periods.
The site served as Wehrmacht High Command headquarters during World War II, coordinating military operations through an extensive communication network. After the war, it functioned as a Soviet military base until 1994, shaping more than 50 years of post-war history.
The mosque built in 1915 on the grounds provided shelter for Muslim prisoners of war during World War I and reflects the diversity that existed here then. Today visitors can still see this space and understand how different people coexisted during the war.
The best way to explore the site is to join a guided tour, as many areas are only accessible with an escort. Wear comfortable shoes since you will walk considerably, including through narrow underground passages and over uneven ground.
After Soviet troops withdrew in 1994, the site was transformed into a book town with dozens of bookstores now operating in former military buildings. This unusual conversion of a place steeped in war history into a center for literature and knowledge sharing makes it a rare example of peace-building through cultural reimagining.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
