Regierungsbunker

Re-experience contemporary history

In March 2008 a 200m long section of the former emergency seat of the Federal Republic, the Government bunker, was converted into a museum about the Cold War. Ever since visitors have been presented with impressive evidence about the previous decades and an extremely interesting insight into state secret no. 1.

Museum staff accompany visitors on their bunker tour lasting 1.5 hours through an underground world, which was still kept strictly confidential only a short while ago. The Government bunker in the Ahrtal was the most secretive structure in the history of the Federal Republic of Germany. It had been planned as long ago as 1950. It was masterminded by the Federal Ministry for Internal Affairs, which after searching for a location for many years decided on two railway tunnels belonging to the former (incomplete) strategic railway through the Ahrgebirge. These were expanded and converted into the emergency seat of the constitutional bodies of the Federal Republic of Germany during crises and war from 1960 to 1972. Comprehensive documentation and many original items at the original showpiece provide information on a chapter of German history that was part of the worldwide mutual deterrents of the nuclear powers in the East and West during the Cold War.

Group tours:
Group visits can be booked year-round by appointment, except Mondays.