Berlin - the capital of the world: what plans did Hitler have for the city

On the corner of two Berlin streets, General-Pape-Strasse and Dudenstrasse, between the residential area and the railways, there is a huge cylinder made of concrete. Inside there are several rooms where rusty equipment has been lying for several decades. This building was built at the beginning of World War II, and it seems that it is difficult to call it even a tourist attraction. But at the same time, a whole story lurks behind this unremarkable cylinder - after all, this is part of the grandiose plan that Hitler prepared for Berlin.

The Fuhrer did not doubt his victory during the Second World War, so he actively planned the future. He thought through everything to the smallest detail: administrative and political systems, culture, life, cities. He wanted to turn Berlin into Welthauptstadt Germany, or into the world capital Germany. So the city had a very ambitious future: it was to become a real metropolis with gigantic buildings that would inspire fear in the enemies and reflect the spirit of the Third Reich. An architect, Albert Speer, was chosen for the project, and together with Hitler he created a plan for the development of the new capital.

Berlin was supposed to be rebuilt along one of the city boulevards, which in the project was called Prachtallee, or "Boulevard of Shine." This street was supposed to become a bridgehead, traffic on it would be completely prohibited. To move the cars, an underground road had to appear right below the avenue.

It would be a vast territory with magnificent buildings. So, in the northern part of the "Glitter Boulevard" Hitler planned to build an open forum, and he was also given the name - Grosser Platz. On an area of 350 thousand square meters, the building of the Reichstag, the high command of the German army, the office and the palace of the Fuhrer would rise. But the most magnificent building that was supposed to appear in the city is the People's Hall, or the Hall of Glory. It was designed by the Fuhrer himself.

The People’s Hall was supposed to be similar to one of the main shrines of Christians - St. Peter's Basilica. However, the construction was supposed to be much larger: about 200 meters in height and with a 250-meter dome in diameter. That is, it is six times the size of the famous Vatican Cathedral. Moreover, the structure would become the largest indoor space in the world and should have overshadowed all other structures on the planet.

Even in these plans, one can trace Hitler’s desire for world domination. The domed hall was intended to worship Hitler and his successors, as well as the Third Reich. The building predicted a great future: it was to become a great shrine to the new world. According to the project, the dome is crowned with a German heraldic eagle, in the claws of which the globe.

In the southern part of the boulevard, another structure was to appear - a triumphal arch. Of course, it is based on the famous arch of Paris. However, the construction in new Berlin should have been much larger and exceed one hundred meters: theoretically, the Paris arch should fit clearly into its opening.

But there was one problem: near Berlin, the soil was very unstable, boggy, and it was not clear whether it could withstand these gigantic structures. And to determine how much weight the earth can support, this concrete cylinder was built. The experimental building is located exactly at the place where Hitler planned to put his triumphal arch.

The concrete structure is 11 meters in diameter and 20. in height. According to plans, if the structure drowns in soil by 5-6 centimeters, then the soil will be considered suitable for construction. However, the cylinder went underground 19 centimeters.

Fortunately, World War II made adjustments, and plans for the reconstruction of Berlin were delayed. And this huge concrete cylinder is the only building from the world capital of Germany, as well as a living reminder of what could have been in another, monstrous reality.