Wolf’s Lair

Wolf’s Lair – Hitler’s military headquarters near Kętrzyn

Near Kętrzyn, there is a small village Gierłoż. Adolf Hitler built his headquarters here, the Wolf’s Lair (German: Wolfschanze), whose name comes from his pseudonym. It was from this place that the most important decisions were made regarding all areas of life and the fate of World War II.

The 2,5-square-kilometer plot is in a dense forest, and from the east it was protected by the system of the Great Masurian Lakes, preventing access of the enemy. The argument for placing the bunkers here was the conditions of the area. The region was strengthened by fortifications and fortresses. The advantages were also the proximity of the airport in Wilamów and the access to the railway line linking Kętrzyn with Węgorzewo. About 200 buildings were erected in this area, including 80 brick-and-concrete buildings, as well as wooden barracks, 2 airports, a power station, a railway station, waterworks, and two teletype headquarters. In Wolf’s Lair Hitler and his staff spent a total of about 850 days, and among the visitors were Italian dictator Benito Mussolini and Japanese ambassador Count Hiroshi Oshima.

On July 20, 1944, an unsuccessful assassination attempt on Hitler by Colonel Count Claus Schenk von Stauffenberg took place in the Wolf’s Lair.

Visitors can see the remains of concrete buildings and hire a tour guide around the quarters, who speak in various languages.