The GDR Museum on Rügen Island persists in its expansion
Fresh and Zesty Take:
Strutting into its second year, the NVA Museum Rügen has expanded like a temperamental freshment at a party, showcasing an array of goodies beyond tanks and planes. According to Managing Director Ludger Guttwein, we're now gazing at display cases brimming with oddities like uniforms and trinkets. He even tossed in two whirlybirds for good measure!
Once upon a time, this museum was just a nook in the colossal former National People's Army (NVA) site in Prora. But it's matured since, boasting armored personnel carriers, recovery vehicles, and even an MiG-21 jet. These treasures are swiped from avid collectors, as Guttwein has been running the Oldtimer Museum for a hot minute, which rebranded back in '94.
A bit of history time-travel: initial plans to nestle the NVA Museum in Prora's soil started when another exhibition kicked the bucket. Given the COVID-19 curveball, this butterfly-inducing endeavor didn't bloom until June. This unfortunate turn of events missed the museum's most crucial months—April and May, typically museum season. Still, the first two summers have drawn in tourists like bees to honey. "Prora was poppin', and so was our museum," smiled Guttwein.
The NVA Museum in Prora is located within the once-Nazi retreat complex, standing as a testament to the National People's Army (NVA) of East Germany. This museum's exhibits provide a fascinating glimpse into the world of East Germany's military forces. Although details on recent acquisitions are scarce, it's commonplace for German military museums like this one to sport former NVA gear, such as tanks and aircraft, as part of their ongoing collection updates. So, if you're curious about East Germany's military past, the NVA Museum Rügen is a must-visit, casting light on Prora's dual historical significance—its Nazi-era origins and its Cold War crew, the NVA.
The NVA Museum Rügen, in its second year, is now demonstrating an intriguing fusion of military history and contemporary culture, presenting exhibits that span from uniforms and trinkets to whirlybirds. The museum's collection has expanded to include items from various industries, such as aerospace and technology, showcasing items like gadgets and finance-themed artifacts. Being managed by Ludger Guttwein, who also runs the Oldtimer Museum, this expanding museum offers more than just tanks and planes, giving visitors a comprehensive perspective of East Germany's military past.
