Lesser known facts about this inhumane punishment
Get ready. What you're about to see resembles a scene from a horror movie.
However, the stories about this hospital aren't fictional—they're horrifying but true.
To get there, you must enter Beelitz, a German town not far from Berlin.
This is where the abandoned sanitorium, Beelitz-Heilstaetten, is located. Or at least, what's left of it...
Beelitz-Heilstaetten was a tuberculosis treatment center built in the 19th century, consisting of 60 buildings, according to the Daily Mail.
The location was ideal, as it was close to Berlin, but the patients were surrounded by nature and could breathe in the fresh air.
During the First World War, part of Beelitz-Heilstaetten was converted into a military hospital to treat wounded German soldiers.
When he was still a soldier, Adolf Hitler was treated in this hospital, after he was injured in the Battle of the Somme.
The wartime hospital and the sanitarium weren't the only buildings there. Beelitz was like a small village with restaurants and other small businesses.
After the end of the First World War, the economic downturn led to the closure of most of the complex.
Beelitz-Heilstaetten was considered one of the pioneers in the treatment of tuberculosis.
A few decades later, during World War II, the hospital was attacked, and in 1945 the Soviet Union took control of it until the 90s.
The hospital was completely deserted, with ruined furniture, scratched walls, and a lingering, eerie atmosphere.
This spooky place is reminiscent of a scene from a movie. And indeed, it was exactly that!
Scenes for 'The Pianist,' directed by Roman Polanski and starring Adrien Brody, were filmed at this location.
Other directors have also chosen this location as a backdrop. Scenes from the film 'Valkyrie' (2008) starring Tom Cruise were filmed here.
Unfortunately, the real events that took place here are much darker than any movie that was filmed on its grounds. According to the website Exberliner, the abandoned Beelitz-Heilstätten is associated with some strange things.
According to the same website, this place was the scene of several brutal homicides.
One of these murders took place in 2008, when photographer Michael K. brought a young model there for a photo shoot.
There was no photoshoot, and the girl was instead murdered.
There were other murders in the abandoned hospital, some including the serial killer known as the 'Beast of Beelitz.'
According to Exberliner, the murderer lured female victims to the hospital and then strangled them with lingerie.
The 'Beast of Beelitz' was actually named Wolfgang Schmid. He added another horrifying layer to the hospital's dark history.
Of course, there are also ghostly urban legends surrounding the place too.
One of these legends is described on the website The Paranormal Guide and is about a group of friends who visited the hospital.
Anne, one of the girls, heard someone asking for a scalpel during the visit.
When she turned around, she noticed that her friends had disappeared. So if it wasn't one of her friends talking to her, who could it be?
As is usually the way with urban legends, there isn't much evidence to prove paranormal activity has occurred at the hospital.
With all the true stories and urban legends, do you have the courage to visit this abandoned place and see it with your own eyes?
Sources: (Daily Mail) (Exberliner)
See also: Creepy prisons from history that'll give you the chills
Abandoned places, no matter where they're located, are often associated with spooky stories... In the case of this old German sanatorium, if the walls could talk, they'd tell you of the terrible crimes and horrifying events that happened here. There are more than a few skeletons in its closets, not to mention the fact that Hitler was once treated here. Let's take a peek...
Go ahead! Click through the gallery... if you're brave enough!
Would you visit this abandoned German hospital?
Beelitz-Heilstaetten is shrouded by mystery and tales of evil
TRAVEL Haunted
Abandoned places, no matter where they're located, are often associated with spooky stories... In the case of this old German sanatorium, if the walls could talk, they'd tell you of the terrible crimes and horrifying events that happened here. There are more than a few skeletons in its closets, not to mention the fact that Hitler was once treated here. Let's take a peek...
Go ahead! Click through the gallery... if you're brave enough!