Colditz in the Capa-Haus. 

The photo collection of the prisoner of war camp Oflag IV C Colditz Castle

1 september 2025 – 28 november 2025
Special exhibition
Capa-Haus, Jahnallee 61, 04177 Leipzig

During the Second World War, Colditz Castle was known as “Oflag IV C”, a special camp for multiple escapees and celebrities. It was considered escape-proof by the guards - and an escape academy for the prisoners. Every failed escape attempt brought new knowledge about escape routes and border controls back to the prisoners. As a result, the escapes became more and more daring and 31 “home runs” were achieved from countless attempts. 
Colditz photographer Johannes Lange documented all the escape attempts on behalf of the Wehrmacht: the “lady” with the hat, the compass in the walnut, the many homemade ladders and lamps, guns made of cardboard or simply the roll call in the courtyard.

After the war, films and books turned Colditz Castle into a legend of military history that is famous in Great Britain and the Netherlands, but virtually unknown in Germany.

The special exhibition “Colditz im Capa. The photo collection of the prisoner of war camp Oflag IV C Schloss Colditz” will bring a selection of Colditz's historical escape aids and photos to the Capa House in Leipzig from September 1, 2025. The photos also tell of the end of the war and the liberation of the castle by the US Army on April 16, 1945 - two days before Robert Capa documented the liberation of Leipzig with his camera.