Today started off wonderfully, I got up early to experience the most spectacular views of the super moon! Having no idea that this occurrence was that day, I felt so glad I made early plans in the morning.
I walked past the streets admiring the massive, yellow moon among buildings and trees! I’ve never seen the moon so big in my life. It felt so unreal, like I was in a dream! The sky had pink and purple hues spread-out, it was truly wonderful.
After running errands, I decided to take a stroll around the nearby forest. The forest stretching for miles in Szczecin is full of wonderful and mysterious places such as bunkers, lakes, remains of buildings from war and also an abandoned Orphanage, which I happened to stumble across today.
(Found on the property)
When I was a kid I’ve heard a lot of stories about this place but never explored or seen it in person. The forest was cold and un-inviting that day. The clouds covered the sky to what previously was a sunny day and suddenly everything turned darker.
I was stepping on a damp ground and managed to squeeze through the entrance un-noticed. I began walking up the overgrown with grass- path. I’ve never seen this place this close and haven’t realized how massive it is. There’s so much property… it was astounding. All the buildings were built before war and refurbished, but maintained their charm and unusual structure throughout the years.
The building was constructed in 1851 and run by Deaconess sisters as a children’s hospital. The building later was expanded to Sanatorium Bismarckhöhe for adults and children with chronic illnesses. Although the building served many purposes over the years to help those in need, it was later changed to an orphanage for children and new-borns. The name of the place is ‘’Green Manor’’ Orphanage which back then was called - Diakonissen Mutterhaus Kinderheil.
The great grounds of the place were utilized for farming lands, where vegetables were grown and also where the animals would be kept. Once there were about 360 deaconess sisters, 15 doctors, a pastor, 2 masters in baking and also about 100 other people for ancillary work- that were employed in this place. After the war the place was shut down for a number of years and the organization was moved in 1945 to Bad Harzburg in Germany where it stands till this day.
In 1954, the Polish decided to re-open the property, for children orphaned by war. Although Szczecin was bombed after war, the main building miraculously survived. The orphanage re-opened giving home to children and new-borns in need. The establishment was expanding trying to live up to its previous glory. There was a person I found on internet who claimed that in the 70’s it was a wonderful place, self- sustained by farming vegetables and owning animals such as donkeys. The image painted by him indeed sounds wonderful. However, the establishment was starting to experience difficulties throughout the years with number of problems and accidents that have taken place there.
(Bunker entrances)
For example, in year 1996 the place set on fire, burning almost the whole roof of the main building, there’s rumours that place was intentionally set on fire, but I couldn’t find any reliable source to confirm that. There were no casualties thankfully but the damage caused took a few years to repair.
There was a number of rumours over the years, that I heard of this place. Some breaking the surface and ending up in the news, such as the 13 year old girl attempting a suicide after being beating up by her peers, an 8 year old boy jumping from a window and dying. A few apparent suicide attempts, apparently there was also some relations between a carer and a child. But there’s no source to confirm that. The rumours and news caused the reputation of the place to drop, where finally the decision was made to shut the place down, re-locating the children to foster families where they can be managed easier in small numbers. Now the place stands closed down, waiting for a decision that will determine its fate.
Stepping into this place knowing some of its history seemed surreal, the whole scene felt as if it was taken out of the horror movie. The decaying scenery, remains of old children toys laying around… the whole area was covered in trees and bushes, one would think that it was heaven for a child, felt almost like a maze. Unfortunately, this place is quite known as the residual of people with drug and alcohol problems after it closed down, so locals are really weary about it, never getting too close.
There’s also loads of hidden wells underneath the overgrown grass, which could be easily fallen into if not careful. I was being very careful in this place, I was aware of the dangers, and anyone exploring abandoned places I urge to be smart and research them best you can beforehand. I went with company and made sure a number of people knew where I was going (the fact they called me crazy and told me not to go there is another story….hehe)
Despite its abandoned state, this place is utterly beautiful, I was in awe because of its architecture and structure… it almost looked like an abandoned magic castle. I was stepping carefully into the ground, making sure it’s safe and stable…. But of course.. I needed to have at least one dumb moment, as I rushed to take the pictures of the front of the building… completely hypnotized by my curiosity and wonder… I stepped into a marsh….A sticky, dirty marsh. Luckily one leg was free so getting out was easy…. But for the remaining journey I had to walk with a sunken in stinky mud shoe.
I was going around the different buildings of the orphanage until it started getting dark and it was time to leave… for safety reasons…
I tried to find access inside but it was all sealed off, which isn’t surprising to be honest.
The place stood there, still, quiet. I tried to immerse myself in the atmosphere of this place. There was so much good that happened there, but the place also experienced some painful wounds, a scar that still maintains there after it got closed. The mystery and dark atmosphere was present throughout. It is really hard to explain how I felt. There was an aspect of beauty to it, but knowing the dark elements made it seem almost haunted.
After exploring this beauty, it was time to leave. And grab some food.
I went to a local pizza restaurant, where we had a 20 inch pizza to satisfy our empty stomachs after an eventful day!
The pizza place had a completely different vibe, the shades or red drapes and stone walls, made it seem like I was in Paris!
The vibe was so magical, especially with Christmas decorations. I felt as if I was dragged to a different universe! hehe The pizza there is magnificent, so if you are nearby make sure to pop by Marco Polo. I especially love the décor and the atmopshere of the place.
(Selfie from the travels)
I hope you enjoyed this post!
Cheers,
Marta x