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The approach -

Get ready. What you're about to see resembles a scene from a horror movie.

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True events -

However, the stories about this hospital aren't fictional—they're horrifying but true.

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Location -

To get there, you must enter Beelitz, a German town not far from Berlin.

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Abandoned hospital -

This is where the abandoned sanitorium, Beelitz-Heilstaetten, is located. Or at least, what's left of it...

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Why was it built? -

Beelitz-Heilstaetten was a tuberculosis treatment center built in the 19th century, consisting of 60 buildings, according to the Daily Mail.

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The perfect location -

The location was ideal, as it was close to Berlin, but the patients were surrounded by nature and could breathe in the fresh air.

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World War I -

During the First World War, part of Beelitz-Heilstaetten was converted into a military hospital to treat wounded German soldiers.

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A patient that would become famous -

When he was still a soldier, Adolf Hitler was treated in this hospital, after he was injured in the Battle of the Somme.

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The site -

The wartime hospital and the sanitarium weren't the only buildings there. Beelitz was like a small village with restaurants and other small businesses.

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End of WWI -

After the end of the First World War, the economic downturn led to the closure of most of the complex.

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Important legacy -

Beelitz-Heilstaetten was considered one of the pioneers in the treatment of tuberculosis.

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Target -

A few decades later, during World War II, the hospital was attacked, and in 1945 the Soviet Union took control of it until the 90s.

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Abandoned -

The hospital was completely deserted, with ruined furniture, scratched walls, and a lingering, eerie atmosphere.

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Cinema -

This spooky place is reminiscent of a scene from a movie. And indeed, it was exactly that!

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Film set -

Scenes for 'The Pianist,' directed by Roman Polanski and starring Adrien Brody, were filmed at this location.

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More film sets -

Other directors have also chosen this location as a backdrop. Scenes from the film 'Valkyrie' (2008) starring Tom Cruise were filmed here.

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Gruesome tales -

Unfortunately, the real events that took place here are much darker than any movie that was filmed on its grounds. According to the website Exberliner, the abandoned Beelitz-Heilstätten is associated with some strange things.

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Crime scene -

According to the same website, this place was the scene of several brutal homicides.

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Photographer and model -

One of these murders took place in 2008, when photographer Michael K. brought a young model there for a photo shoot.

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A grim kind of shoot -

There was no photoshoot, and the girl was instead murdered. 

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Serial Killer -

There were other murders in the abandoned hospital, some including the serial killer known as the 'Beast of Beelitz.'

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The 'Beast of Beelitz' -

According to Exberliner, the murderer lured female victims to the hospital and then strangled them with lingerie.

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The 'Beast of Beelitz' -

The 'Beast of Beelitz' was actually named Wolfgang Schmid. He added another horrifying layer to the hospital's dark history.

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Supernatural? -

Of course, there are also ghostly urban legends surrounding the place too. 

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A friendly visit -

One of these legends is described on the website The Paranormal Guide and is about a group of friends who visited the hospital.

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The call -

Anne, one of the girls, heard someone asking for a scalpel during the visit.

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Ghosts? -

When she turned around, she noticed that her friends had disappeared. So if it wasn't one of her friends talking to her, who could it be?

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Urban Legends -

As is usually the way with urban legends, there isn't much evidence to prove paranormal activity has occurred at the hospital. 

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Are you brave enough? -

With all the true stories and urban legends, do you have the courage to visit this abandoned place and see it with your own eyes?

Sources: (Daily Mail) (Exberliner)

See also: Creepy prisons from history that'll give you the chills

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