37 Abandoned Resorts From a Bygone Era You Can Still Visit

25. Prora Resort Complex (Rügen, Germany): Monumental Ambition

Stretching nearly 3 miles along the Baltic Sea coast on the island of Rügen stands Prora, a colossal beach resort complex commissioned by Nazi Germany under the "Strength Through Joy" program. Designed to house 20,000 vacationers, construction halted due to WWII. The massive, uniform blocks were later used for military purposes and partially repurposed, but large sections remained derelict for decades. Exploring Prora reveals the chilling scale of Third Reich ambition and offers a complex mix of historical reflection, architectural curiosity, and beachfront redevelopment.