Project Riese near Walim / Muzeum Sztolni Walimskich My Fav Spot

Project Riese near Walim

Muzeum Sztolni Walimskich

Riese is the code name for the construction project of Nazi Germany in 1943–45. In the north - western part of the Owl Mountains (Eulengebirge) and in the vicinity of Ksiaz Castle work began mining and construction on an unprecedented scale. The construction of the complex "Rzeczka", "Jugowice - Jawornik", "Włodarz", "Osówka", "Soboń", "Sokolec - Gontowa" and "Ksiaz" began in 1943, although the design work could be carried out earlier, at least from the end of the 30s of the twentieth century. The project Riese not completed until the end of the war. The degree of destruction complexes after 1945 and the lack of project documentation or the executive, do not allow to clearly identify their purpose. Field studies, archives and witness statements allow you to place two hypotheses. These could be underground industrial and experimental, but scientists tend toward the underground command posts Headquarters. Aproximately at least 13000 prisoners worked for the project, most of them were transferred from Auschwitz concentration camp. The estimated total number of 5000 victims lost their lives. The complex Rzeczka near Walim has three tunnels were bored into the base of the mountain. The structure contains nearly completed guardroom and large underground halls, up to 10 m in height.The total length of tunnels is 500 m, area 2500 m², volume 14000 m³. In 1995 the underground was opened to the public and in 2001 transformed into museum.

military and historic spotsmuseums and monumentsLower Silesia, PolandWalim, Lower Silesia, Poland