Editing Prora (section)

{{Short description|Building complex in Rügen, Germany}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2021}}
{{Expand German|topic=struct|Prora|date=June 2020}}
{{coord|54|26|21|N|13|34|32|E|region:DE-MV_type:landmark|display=title}}
{{Infobox building
| name = Prora
| architectural_style = [[Nazi architecture|Nazi]]
| website = {{URL|http://www.proradok.de/en/startseite-2/}}
| awards = Grand Prix (1937 Paris World Exposition)
| cost = {{Reichsmark|237.5 million|link=yes}}
| building_type = Beach resort
| stop_date = 1939 (onset of [[WWII]])
| start_date = 1936
| map_type = Germany
| alternate_names = Colossus of Prora
| architect = {{ubl|[[Clemens Klotz]]|Erich Putlitz (further unrealized plans)}}
| location_country = [[Germany]]
| location = [[Prorer Wiek]], [[Rügen]]
| caption = Aerial view of Prora (2020)
| image_size = 300
| image = 20-07-06-Prora-RalfR-DJI 0120.jpg
| owner = Metropole Marketing
}}
[[File:ProraLandseite.jpg|thumb|267px|"Koloss von Prora" or the Colossus of Prora]]

The '''Colossus of Prora''', commonly known as simply "'''Prora'''", is a building complex in the municipality of [[Binz]] on the island of [[Rügen]], [[Germany]]. It was built by [[Nazi Germany]] between 1936 and 1939 as part of the [[Strength Through Joy]] (Kraft durch Freude or KdF) project. It consisted of eight identical buildings and was {{convert|4.5|km|mi|frac=8|abbr=on}} in length parallel to the beach, with the surviving structures stretching {{convert|3.0|km|mi|frac=8|abbr=on}}.

Although the buildings were planned as a holiday resort, construction was not completed, and they were not used for this purpose. Prora, as it was known, was however used largely by the [[Nazi Party]] for propaganda, with the supposed strength and power displayed in the construction effort of the complex likened by the party to that of themselves.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Harrison |first=Benjamin |title=Cambridge IGCSE and O Level History Option B: The 21st Century |publisher=[[Hodder Education]] |date=26 July 2019 |isbn=978-1510421196 |language=en}}</ref> After World War II, the complex found various military uses, first by the [[Soviet Army]], then by the East German [[National People's Army|Volksarmee]], and then by the German [[Bundeswehr]]. Today, it houses a large youth hostel, a hotel, and holiday apartments.