Former Soviet military hospital and rehabilitation centre Volodino, Kaliningrad oblast Russian Federation
Urban Exploring (UE) tends to be seen by many as an interest that should be frowned upon. I agree to a certain extent having seen a lot of childish immature offerings made by millennial goontubers, and Instagram idiots. Who think it’s more about them than the actual building/graveyard/ graffiti et all. Never mind the vandals, taggers or thieves. Most of whom lurk on Facebook pages.
As an elite explorer covering the U.K. and Europe, my aim is to bring an unseen glimpse into places that would otherwise remain silent in decay. I try to take my photographs in as sympathetic a manner as possible, always remembering that I am just a vehicle for other people’s memories. I hope you enjoy my work.
September 2019, I was travelling through Kaliningrad and was fortunate through the power of the web to meet up for a day with a local explorer who took me to a variety of places. A truly remarkable day was had. after being onsite for just over an hour we had to make a quick exit as security turned up and as was explained to me Russian security are armed and aggressive. Discretion is the better part of valour
REPORT
The buildings spread over 4 acres date back to the 19th century, (when the enclave was part of the Prussian Empire,(Germany)). Built as a Sanatorium later to become a hospital and lunatic asylum, where up until 1945 “medical experiments” were undertaken on the residents. At its peak it housed 2000 men women and children.
When this became the soviet enclave of Kaliningrad the complex remained as a hospital and rehabilitation centre for soviet troops not only stationed here but also, sailors of the Baltic Fleet. It comprised general troop dormitories,hospital, recreational facilities as well as offices and stores.
It was fully operational until the 1990’s, and not fully decommissioned until 2013
Then and now
We got right into the top of the clock tower, the clock was never operational it was there simply as an aesthetic
External shots
Basketball court, discarded gym boots and broken ski tip
Wandering the corridors
General detritus
Marilyn
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Fucking 'ell!, did they see you or get tipped off? We have it easy here with the civil trespass law the only thing getting in our way!
Think it was a chance encounter with a routine patrol.
The thought of armed patrols would put me off, but I would be nervous anyway. Looks like a grand place in its day. The communist artwork is definitely striking. Do you find you can sense an atmosphere to such places from all the people who must have passed through?
There was a big asylum up the road from us that shut down about 20 years ago. The site has been developed now, but I think it was empty for some time and I wonder if anyone went exploring there. I think local kids used to play there. Some of the patients would wander out and we once had a smartly dressed, but confused elderly man in our garden. A few drowned in the old brick pits.
I know @slobberchops finds lots of old mills, but there are not so many abandoned old buildings around here. Someone did post some pictures of one on Facebook a few years back, but I suspect that has gone now.
😂 the armed security was not mentioned pre visit! But the yes I would still have gone, I would have regretted not going. It’s better to go to your grave regretting the things you have done rather than rueing the things you missed is one of the principles I strongly believe in.
Yes I always soak up the atmosphere of the places I am in. Especially residential, they carry not just visual treats but smells too, years of musty ness is not unpleasant.
I have a back catalogue of 100`s of visits but @slobberchops has advised uploading steady otherwise some envious individuals may get a little cranky and challenge my authenticity.
You are OK with one a day, it's all about voting power which is something I need to explain to you.
I do intend to write a series of posts about such things as I'm still actively trying to onboard more Urbex people.
Live is for experiencing, but I suspect a lot of people would be more nervous. Doing these things abroad may have extra risks depending on local laws and the degree of corruption. I visited place like Israel and Ukraine for work and I would be very wary of getting involved with the local police. Might have lost me my job anyway :)
You should spread your posts out and look to build your audience. We need a few more explorers on here really. There's only a few thousand active users overall and it may be smaller than some dedicated Facebook groups. I think Steem could do well in certain niches and I would think the urbexers would like the freedom it offers.
Steem on and have a !BEER. You will find there are various other tokens you can earn. I'm sure @slobberchops will clue you in on how it works with hashtags.
Cheers
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You're welcome @grindle
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