“The whole story of Colditz will, no doubt, one day be told, and it will make an enthralling story; but it must be written by one of the men who was there.”
‘Escape and Liberation, 1940-1945′ by A.J.Evans.
These words, by the author of ‘The Escape Club’, one of the greatest escape books of the First World War and one which inspired Pat Reid, British Escape Officer at Colditz from 1940-1942, to ultimately make a ‘Home Run’ succinctly describe our own personal views of the ‘Colditz Story’.
Therefore when we re-tell the story of Colditz we use primary source information from both the POW and German perspectives.
We would encourage anyone who is inspired by this website to read all the relevant books and do what they can to keep the memory of these men, of all nationalities, on whatever ’side’ to live on through generations to come. To this end we have constructed a suggested reading list for Colditz books which name some of the lesser known works on Colditz which are a must read.
During WW2 the Castle was located in the very centre of a Greater Nazi Germany, ideally located for a PoW Camp far from any neutral frontiers. In the Cold War it was located in the East of what was the DDR, or East Germany. Today it lies on the eastern borders of a once again unified Germany. For many years the castle fell into disrepair but recent investments have seen great changes, some good, some maybe not so. It is a constant battle to preserve WW2 areas but what one cannot deny is the sense of atmosphere that penetrates the thick mediaeval walls and transports you back in time to ‘daring tales of do’.
There is only one way to ‘keep the spirit’ of Colditz alive…. that is by going. We visit Colditz more than anyone else and have guided more guests than anyone else. To this end we share our expertise and exceptional local knowledge gained from many years of experience with you and bring out the very best in local German hospitality to make your “Escape to Colditz” a once in a lifetime experience.
Colditz Castle Tours 