GSSD Schule (Soviet Sports Hall), Germany

The GSSD Schule is a former Soviet school and barracks in East Germany. I especially liked the Soviet Sports Hall at this location, which was the main reason for the visit. After we photographed the main sports hall, we enjoyed a leisurely explore of the rest of the site. As with a lot of these buildings, the corridors and peeling paint were a wonder to photograph. Near the end of our search we discovered another small gymnasium/sports hall, as well as a classroom area. Unexpected finds such as this are always a highlight of the day!

Some history about the GSSD Schule

I am unable to find much more information about this site, certainly hampered by my inability to speak German! Originally, this area was owned by the Wehrmacht (the German unified military forces, 1935-1945). There was a Panzer Division stationed here. After the Nazi defeat, the area served as a refugee camp in the immediate aftermath of World War 2. Soon after, the area was occupied by the Soviets who re-purposed and expanded the Wehrmacht base. They occupied the nearby airfield, and constructed a large military town next to it.

The area with the GSSD Schule buildings are in an area 5km away from the airfield. The cluster of buildings which is designated as “kasernen”, or barracks, on maps. This complex has a large sports hall in a separate building, as well as a smaller gymnasium on the upper floor of the main building. There are classrooms featuring posters of mathematical formulae, including quadratic equations. Next to this is a board that appears to be illustrating a nuclear bomb plume, and its dissipation after detonation. There is also a board featuring photos of recent graduates of the “military courses”. Nearby is an interesting board featuring small portrait paintings of heroic Soviet soldiers, along with names and (presumably) details on their military jobs.