Germany's Underground

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Following years of projects that were barely viable, the city’s transportation authorities opted for an underground alternative. Opened on May 28, 1877 and baptized the Stadtbahn Essen, this was a medium sized light rail that would be responsible for transportation throughout the main city. Described variously as the “Fly Trap” or “The Henge” (due to its resemblance to Stonehenge), this outdoors, above-ground remnant of Project Reise is variously said to be a UFO launching pad, an anti-gravity device, a time machine, or maybe just the humble remains of an industrial cooling tower. What role did this beautiful castle play in this sinister plot? Ksiaz Castle. ( Wikimedia Commons)

Train cars that were rumored to be filled with Nazi gold that has never been accounted for since WWII ended. With increased aerial raids by the RAF across Nazi Germany and allied air superiority in the later years of the war, high command took the strategic decision to move large parts of its armaments and production infrastructure underground.German Prosecutors to Broaden Charges Against Neo-Nazi Beate Zschäpe Der Spiegel. Retrieved 20 August 2012.

Strictly speaking, tax evasion is part of the parallel economy, since the term refers only to those activities that create new value; for example, a garage that was built off the books.The city is extremely interconnected, meaning riders are always just a few meters away from a public transportation option. Several Essen Stadtbahn stations are serviced by the tram routes as well. Stations Berliner Unterwelten was founded in 1997 to explore, document and preserve the city’s subterranean architecture. The organization’s base is in a former air raid bunker in the Gesundbrunnen subway station, now a museum—the Unterwelten Museum (Subterranean Museum)—that offers various tours through Berlin’s underground. The bunker was cleared and reconstructed by the group and transformed into a museum while maintaining its original character. Hiding on four floors below Berlin are dozens of bunkers, tunnels, walkways, canals, the route of a pneumatic postal system, storage rooms, bomb and ammunition storage, and abandoned subway stations. Aggressive behavior, insults or intimidation of other riders is absolutely prohibited on the Essen Metro. According to the consolidated register of gas storage facilities of the European association Gas Infrastructure Europe, Germany’s gas storage facilities are 50.6% full (as of January 11, 2022),” the German Ministry of Economy said in response to a deputy's request as quoted by RIA. “This corresponds to a theoretical working gas availability of 17.7 days,” it added.

Any intentional harm done to transport vehicles or overall facilities is punishable by fine. If the behavior persists, the responsible party will be expelled from the system. Essen Hauptbahnhof: Connects to the S-Bahn lines, S1, S2, S3, S6 and S9 and express routes, RE1, RE2, RE6, RE11, RE14, RE16, RB40 and RB42. This station also connects to tram routes, 101/106, 105, 107 and 108 and bus lines, 145, 146, 147, 154, 155, 166, 193, 196, SB14, SB15, SB16 and SB19.Of the 8,995 prisoners who were identified, all were Jewish. Most came from Hungary, with the rest from Poland, Greece, Romania, and elsewhere.

Speech by Federal Chancellor Merkel at the Central memorial ceremony to commemorate the victims of extreme right-wing violence. Retrieved 15 August 2012.It is said that children as young as 10 were put to work pushing mining cards and performing other forced menial labor. Believe it or not, there are tours! Eminger: Guilty – Convicted of aiding a terror organization. Sentenced to two and a half years in prison. But by May of 1945—a full month after Hitler committed suicide—Project Riese was halted as the Soviets swarmed eastward through Germany. The Nazis destroyed as many records regarding the project as possible, and it remains shrouded in mystery. ( Wikimedia Commons) Was it supposed to be Hitler’s secret bunker… Our small-group adventures are inspired by our Atlas of the world's most fascinating places, the stories behind them, and the people who bring them to life.