NAZI-GERMANY ERA BALLROOM / 20 photographs by C. LAZARUS (Urban Explorations)

Hidden away in a small suburb on the outskirts of Berlin. Lies a charming yet haunting memory of German history. I have posted about this place several times already but I have never compiled all my images into one single post. Some of the images are very grainy, it was almost pitch black in the lower levels and since most of the windows have been boarded up by German authorities not much natural light gets inside.

This recently painted piano serves as a centerpiece for the main Ballroom. A fantastic room with 50ft ceilings, it is easy to imagine history unfolding here, gatherings of the elite, the singing and smoking of fine cigars, prostitution and booze.

I don't know anything about pianos. It seems the building's heyday outdates this instrument. We came to the conclusion that it must have been brought there in past few decades, maybe as part of an art project or music video.

These door and window frames are screaming wealth. I love how the original curtains still sit neatly wrapped in their original position. I like to imagine the life and story of the last person to draw those curtains up. Who were they and what did they know?

I wanted to get an imposing image that demonstrated the crooked flooring and tall pillars that hold this place up. The building is literally bursting at the seems. We can even see through the upper flooring, but we'll go there in a minute.

First, we headed downstairs to the basement area. This corridor led to what looks like a bathroom. I wasn't really able to see where I was going. Most of these grainy shots were 5-minute exposures taken in complete darkness.

Potentially a kitchen and a very large one at that. It would have been quite the effort to feed a full house here. Again it was too dark here to do any real exploration, but the final image revealed way more detail than I expected at the time.

This image revealed some old electronics, such as the interesting looking light bulb in the center of the roof. I love to see the old bricks peeking out from behind the rotten walls, knowing each one was individually laid by human hands.

As we made our way to the uppers floors I stopped to grab an image of my exploration team and the creepy old stairway. I had no idea they were painted pink/ peach, but it really does give this place a grand feeling of great wealth.

The upper floors felt rather dangerous. It was interesting to see the wooden beams of the roofing still intact, which gives you an idea of the building's framework, strong and stable.

One of the many rooms that may have housed guests or workers. This one seemed too small to be used for guests, it is interesting to still see the patterned wallpaper.

Another room, slightly bigger but on a lower floor.

This door frame was once painted a bright turquoise but has faded over the years. Cracking paint is one of my favourite aspects of urban exploration.

Upstairs we found a second room that appeared to operate as VIP function room. Could this be where secrets were discussed, opium was smoked or prostitutes used, all the trappings that would welcome gasps and murmurs if exercised in the main hall.

A detail in the upper function room.

Graffiti artists have decorated the Ballroom over the years. Some people will dislike this but I find it only adds to the charm and artist value. I find this quote jarring and contradictory to the building past. A great clash of past and modern ideologies.

It was hard to produce images of colour in such a dark place. This 10-minute exposure illuminated the vintage yellows and oranges that once gave this room warmth and character.

In the center, the roof has collapsed to reveal a courtyard. A single tree grows from the center.

This image demonstrates how reckless and stupid us urban explorers are. That roof is the epiphany of sketchy. It owns the word like nothing else. Please explore building like this with brutal caution. We didn't and every time I edit these photos I get chills.

I'll finish this article with my proclaimed wide shot of the main ballroom which one the steemit-photo-challenge some months ago. Use your imagination to drape Swastikas from the roof, add a jazz band in the corner, an array of tables and people chattering, cigarette smoke, waiters bustling around with trays of drinks.

This is a truly haunting place if you are able to transport yourself back to the 1940's.

Thank you for reading, up-vote and re-steem if you like!
C. Lazarus.