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In dense forest wilderness, among lakes and marshes, lies a town of bunkers. If you are passionate about history, this is a place you must visit when in Masuria.

The Wolf’s Lair (Wolfsschanze) – Adolf Hitler’s former headquarters – is the most famous Nazi field headquarters. The leader of the Third Reich stayed there from 1942 to 1944, for a total of about 800 days. From here, he coordinated, among other things, Operation Barbarossa – the attack on the USSR – and made key decisions in managing the German war machine. It was here that one of the many attempts on Hitler’s life took place – carried out by Claus von Stauffenberg in July 1944.

Herman Goering, Martin Bormann, Wilhelm Keitel and Alfred Jodl, among others, also had their headquarters here.

The headquarters was built according to the best engineering knowledge of the time. It was well camouflaged thanks to the vegetation that covered the roofs and walls of the buildings – a mixture of sea grass and green dye that imitated the specific mossy plaster.

In January 1945, with the Red Army approaching, the concrete town was blown up on the orders of Wilhelm Keitel. Of the heavy bunkers, Adolf Hitler’s suffered the most damage, while the other shelters – due to insufficient explosives, thick walls and solid construction – were best preserved.

On 27 January 1945, Red Army troops entered Hitler’s former war headquarters without a fight.

The tour route is interestingly designed. Be sure to take the audio guide, available on site, which will guide you according to your choice, adjusting to your geolocation.