It was the first holiday resort built by the East German trade union FDGB itself. The "Fritz Heckert" holiday home still stands today on a hill on the edge of the Harz Mountains – after 30 years of vacancy, a monument that magnetically attracts ruin enthusiasts.
Not many sights in the Harz Mountains attract as many visitors at this time of year, in this weather, as the large building between Wilhelmshöhe and Försterblick above Gernrode. Just a few steps from the road, a sprawling building with a sweeping side wing has stood here on Kuhkopf for more than half a century. Although it has been empty for 30 years, it is never truly empty during the day.
A popular destination
The former FDGB holiday home "Fritz Heckert" is a popular destination not only for self-proclaimed lovers of places gradually decaying from neglect, but also for day-trippers and hikers who happen to catch a glimpse of the four-story ruin through the trees.
The "Fritz Heckert," named after the FDGB cruise ship of the same name and after the high-ranking communist official from Saxony who died in exile in Moscow and is buried at the Kremlin wall, was a coveted vacation destination for East German tourists.
Built between 1952 and 1954 according to the design of an engineering firm from Halle, the resort, with its initial capacity of around 150 beds, was considered a flagship project of the state-run FDGB trade union, which was acting as a developer for the first time. East Germany was so proud of the modern new building that the resort was even featured on a postage stamp in 1959.
A bright, empty cavern
Initially, 85 double rooms were available to vacationers, all rather small, but with south-facing balconies and all with washrooms with hot water. There were also twelve bathrooms with bathtubs and six shower rooms. The café and restaurant welcomed guests in the semicircular entrance tower, now a bright, empty cavern.
After a hike or ski tour, club rooms, a library with a reading room, a TV room, and a pool table awaited "lab technicians, party veterans, scientists, and locksmiths" who, according to a report from the 1960s, spent their holidays here.
Happy people
A man who grew up in Gernrode and is currently exploring the endless corridors with a few friends remembers the "Hekki," as it's known locally, a little differently. "Those were definitely select people who got a room in the main building," he recalls from his time as a schoolboy working at the hostel during the holidays.
Especially during the winter season, holiday spots at the Hekki were usually reserved for select party officials and deserving comrades. It wasn't until the extension next door, with 150 additional beds in double rooms, a nightclub, and a restaurant, was built that "ordinary" people also had a chance to stay.
The "Hekki" hosted 5,500 vacationers in the winter of 1971, after a functional block of dormitories had been built next to the architecturally elaborate main building.
Classical Modernism
The new buildings, simple apartment blocks lacking the sweeping staircases and light-filled halls of the main building, were demolished after the facility closed in 1990. A patch of grass hints at where they once stood. The old building, however, constructed in the industrial, bright, and asymmetrical style of Classical Modernism, was allowed to remain, and from 1993 onward, it was even recognized as a historical monument.
The "Hekki" waited for better times. For decades, in vain. A neighbor recalls that once, construction crews began gutting the building, which was still in relatively good condition at the time. Windows and plumbing were ripped out. Then the workers suddenly disappeared, and graffiti artists, paintball players, and urban explorers discovered the picturesque, decaying site.
"No Trespassing"
Nothing is fenced off, all the doors are open, there aren't even any "No Trespassing" signs. But that will soon change, because at the end of last year an investor bought the "Hekki." The former holiday home is to be converted into vacation apartments, some for sale, some for rent. A restaurant and publicly accessible sports and leisure facilities are also planned for the future.
The planned conversion into vacation apartments is currently stalled for a very nature-related reason: bats. In February 2026, it was revealed that the strictly protected animals had claimed the building as a winter roost and breeding site during its long period of vacancy. This is delaying the start of construction, as extensive compensatory measures and conservation plans must first be approved.
Future Plans
Planned start of construction: Despite the delays, the investors are sticking to the project. The extensive renovation work on the listed building is now scheduled to begin in 2026, provided the species protection regulations are met.
The concept: The plan still calls for a mix of permanent residences, holiday apartments, and a public area with restaurants. The aim is to preserve the charm of the "classic modern" style while the ruin undergoes a complete technical renovation.
