Nestled behind dense thickets of beech trees, overrun with nettles, and adjacent to a serene blue lake an hour’s journey north of Berlin lies a villa that once served as a residence for one of the most notorious figures of the Nazi regime. This estate, formerly owned by Joseph Goebbels, the infamous Nazi propaganda minister, was constructed by a grateful nation just before the outbreak of World War II.
Currently under the ownership of the State of Berlin, this property has fallen into disrepair, languishing on the public’s financial burden alongside a set of imposing dormitories that were later erected by the Communist Party to accommodate an indoctrination school. Encompassing nearly 20 acres, this campus resonates with the chilling echoes of two oppressive regimes that have shaped its history.
Due to the weight of its past and the exorbitant costs associated with its upkeep, the state has found itself at a crossroads, unable to either sell or develop the site. In a surprising turn of events, officials have resorted to an unconventional solution: offering the infamous Nazi mansion for free. However, any potential recipient would still need to seek governmental approval.
In his remarks to Parliament this spring, Stefan Evers, the senator for finance in Berlin, expressed frustration over the situation, urging interested parties to take the property off their hands. He boldly stated that if no one stepped forward, the estate would face demolition, igniting a wave of interest from prospective buyers worldwide.
Stefan Evers, the State of Berlin’s senator for finance, made an impassioned appeal this spring: “Take it off our hands, or we will tear the Goebbels estate down.” This declaration has not only highlighted the estate’s complexities but also raised questions about the future of such a historically significant site.
