Wolfschanze ('Wolf's Lair')

Wolfschanze ('Wolf's Lair') at Gierloz - darkometer rating : 7 - A complex of semi-destroyed bunkers in the north of Poland , infamous as the place where Adolf Hitler had his main headquarters during much of World War II . However, this is also the site of Stauffenberg 's failed assassination attempt on Hitler, which could have changed the course of history so dramatically if only had it been successful. So it's kind of a doubly dark site – both a purely sinister Nazi site and at the same time a place of very unfortunate tragedy. > More background info > What there is to see > Location > Access and costs > Time required > Combinations with other dark destinations > Combinations with non-dark destinations > Photos More background info: The complex of bunkers at the so-called Wolfschanze (frequently also spelled 'Wolfsschanze'), or 'Wolf's Lair' in English and 'Wilczy Szaniec' in Polish, is part of a larger complex of bunkers and military installations that was built from 1940 to 1944. It served primarily as a Nazi command centre in World War II . This role it had primarily during Nazi Germany 's attack on the Soviet Union , code-named 'Operation Barbarossa' and said to have been planned in large part at the Wolfschanze. The complex was elaborately camouflaged – in addition to the safety that concrete walls several metres thick provided. Hitler himself used the Wolfschanze as his main base during much of the latter years of the war, until it was given up, in view of the advancing Red Army. The name of the place is said to derive directly from Hitler's self-chosen nickname of Wolf. It was also used in other such HQs/command bases, such as "Wolfsschlucht" in Belgium or "Werewolf" in Ukraine . Maybe "Mole" or "Rabbit"would have been more appropriate, though – as the enormous bunkers are testament to the increasing isolation the Nazi leadership sought as the war dragged on.