The “Sanatorium E” was constructed as a Lung Clinic between 1912 and 1914 by the Jewish Doctor Walter Freimuth and his wife. After the German Reich introduced the first form of public health care, hospitals and sanatoriums sprung up all over Germany – such as the Beelitzer Heilstätten and the Heilstätte Grabowsee in Oranienburg. After the National Socialists came to power, the Freimuths fled Germany and their property was seized. The Clinic continued to operate as a retreat for Lung Patients until 1952, when the East German government repurposed it to treat patients with Skin and Thyroid tuberculosis (the only clinic of its kind in all of East Germany). 1967 saw the clinic change purpose again, when it was transformed into Skin Clinic. The main building was renovated in the 1980s, while the sidebuildings were designated as a housing unit for the staff and a “Wirtschaftshaus” – a stable of sorts to keep livestock. The Clinic was closed down in 1994 (quite possibly as a result of the newly introduced economic reforms of the german unification) and the property was returned to the Freimuth family who had survived the war in Exile in the United States. The building is currently protected as a cultural herritage – but the Freimuth family had set plans in motion to transform the vacant building into a Hotel.
Scrap dealers and Vandals had already found their way into the building, the most telling sign being that all the original brass doorknobs and fixings had been stolen. In case you were wondering why you always find pianos in these abandoned buildings, and why this one was still standing there, its because Pianos normally weigh (at least) 200 kilos, making them rather difficult to steal.
Most of the rooms in the Sanatorium E didnt really yield anything of great interest. Most of the light fixtures and sinks had been removed (more or less professionaly), and all that remained were the curtains swaying in the breeze. Moving from room to room we were greeted by the same broken sinks and swaying curtains.
Quit a few of the rooms still had their “original” (in this case 70s and 80s) lamps dangling from the ceiling. Id say a few of them could fit quite nicely in some peoples apartments.
As we moved through the building , I slowly realized how large it truly was. It wouldnt be too difficult to get slightly lost in the maze of rooms and floors. We managed to find our way to the attic where we encountered a folding bed, a bedpan, and what seemed like a rusted through pan. I’m 100% sure that these items had been collected form throughout the buidling and consteucted unter skylight to make for a nice motive. Didnt stop us from taking pictures of it though.
Here and there portions of what seemed like some of the original wallpaper shone through the walls, but other than that the building radiated a cool sterilty that you only find in a hospital.
Considering that the Sanatorium E has “only” been vacant for 18 years, its in an appalling state. Looking at it you would have assumed that its been empty for a good 40 years. Hopefully the future might have better in store for the building.
For more Photos – check out the Flickr Album: Sanatorium E
Sanatorium E
Adresse: N/A
Public Transport: N/A
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Love it! And a great set of photos on Flickr as well. It’s funny how we notice different details and see things with different angles. So gutted I couldn’t get that first photo of the detail on the piano. And can’t believe you snuck so many shots of me – I’m obviously oblivious when I’m snapping!
PS: one of the last buildings we went in (of which i didnt take any pictures lol) – the one with the chicken wire, it really was a stable to keep animals in. I was super pleased to find that old postcard as well, ads a nice bit of contrast.
cheers mate! I was quite dissapointed with a lot of my shots when I had a closer look at home. Hope you dont mind that I left some pictures of you in the album, I can take em down if you want (or feel free to take them for yourself) – I did leave a rare self portrait in the album as well though. I could have easily filled another post with just the photos of all the fuses and technical stuff, it was rather stressing me out what to put in the post.
I’m fine with the photos staying up, I just find it funny that I didn’t notice you were taking them. I agree that the postcard is a great touch and drawing attention to the growth of the trees will hopefully make people take notice of the changes. I need to practice my Deutsch so that I can read more about these places – assuming you found the history etc in German.
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very inspiring, again!
thank you very much! glad you enjoyed the post/photos
Simply amazing shots. Love the info and glimpse into abandoned life.
thanks a lot! the summer just started so hopefully there will be more of these posts 😀
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These pics are bloody brilliant, pardon my French. You won’t believe how pleased I am about finding your site.
thank you very much! always appreciate it when people enjoy my photos 😉
The places you find are amazing… and really great pictures, I especially love the ones of the windows – they are haunting!
Thank you for sharing!
Great photos again. Really evocative of a time gone by, but as you say, looks as though it’s been unused for more than 18 years, good to see it hasn’t been trashed and tagged yet though. Hope no one gets ideas!
I am so glad I have just come across this site. I, like you, love to come across diss-used buildings – and explore. I must say I have never been so lucky to have come across what you have and especially in Germany and Berlin most of all. I love to see diss-used historical buildings of all descriptions, and thank you for sharing your experiences. Your photos are great and one can use their imagination and realise what they must have been like in their prime. The station was great!! Thank you once again.
It’s nice that you kept the locality secret… but that asshole from Abandonedberlin.com obviously explained precisely how to get there..
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