(from Wikipedia)
The hostel in Prora has a huge historical background. The monumental 4.5 kilometer complex on Prorer Wiek on the Baltic sea island of Rügen is originated in the era of National Socialism. Under the Nazi organization "KdF Kraft durch Freude (Strength through Joy)" in the originally planned eight blocks of the "KdF Rügen resort" there was planned the possibility of vacation for 20,000 "German compatriots". The monumental building was never completed. Nevertheless, it was an example of the social achievements of the Nazi regime in the contemporary propaganda.
After the 2nd World War the plant was used as accommodation for the "KVP Volkspolizei (People's Police)" and the "NVA Nationale Volksarmee (National People's Army)" of the German Democratic Republic. Later there were stationed conscientious objectors as well as construction soldiers. Thousands of them were working there in 1982 under duress at the port site of Mukran.
After the peaceful revolution in East Germany 1989/90 the Bundeswehr (German Army) took the complex for a short time, in 1994 it was designated a historic monument. 2009 renovation and remodeling work started for the new youth hostel Prora as "the world's longest youth hostel". It will be opened in July 2011 by the first international street artists' festival.
