When you think of Berlin, the first things that might come to mind are the Brandenburg Gate and the Berlin Wall. However, there’s a hidden part of the city’s history that lies underground – its historic bunkers. Join us on a fascinating walking tour through some of Berlin’s most significant and intriguing bunkers and learn about the city’s past from an entirely different perspective.
Why Visit Berlin’s Historic Bunkers?
- The historic bunkers in Berlin are an exploration into which the historical role they played in World War II and the Cold War. Such structures were used for one purpose or another: as shelter from air raids, as command centers for the military.
- The Luftschutzbunker Museum
- You can say that our journey started off at the Luftschutzbunker Museum. This museum is found in the Friedrichshain neighborhood and concatenated visually takes you through what life was like for Berliners during air raids. But it is inside, where you can tour the original layout of the bunker now, view exhibits with historical artifacts, and listen to real life testimonies from those who ran for refuge there.
- This museum takes a while to get through and you need to make sure you take enough time with this so that you get a good overviev of the history of the city when it was involved in World War II.
- Boros Bunker – Subterranean Stories
- Then we head to Mitte and the Boros Bunker. Built as an air raid shelter, then as a prison amd storage facility. Now the bunker is a art gallery with contemporary art by world renowned artists.
- Symbolically, Berlin’s resilience, and the flux of time after that, is represented by the Boros Bunker. However it is a combination of historical architecture with modern art that gives a view like no other.
- Hidden Relics at The Berlin Story Bunker
- And our journey ends over in Kreuzberg at The Berlin Story Bunker. It was first constructed as an air-raid bunker and then used by the Red Army Faction, a left wing extremist group.
- Finally, today it is The Berlin Story Museum, where you can see a wealth of artifacts, displays and multimedia exhibitions on the city’s history. The grand overview of the city’s tumultous past, this museum follows modern history from the rise Nazi regime to Berlin’s division between East and West during the Cold War.
- Preparing for the Bunker Tour
- Before embarking on your bunker tour, there are a few things to keep in mind:
- So you will be walking and using staircases, wear comfortable shoes.
- Advance check the opening hours and ticket availability.
- Experience about the history of the bunkers may be gained while taking a guided tour.
- You’ll also want to dress appropriately, because the bunkers may be cooler than outside.
- Because you don’t want to miss the chance to charge your camera or your smartphone.
Conclusion
Visiting Berlin’s historic bunkers offers a fascinating journey through the city’s past. By exploring these underground spaces, you gain a deeper understanding of the experiences and challenges faced by Berliners during times of war and conflict.
So, lace up your shoes, grab your camera, and embark on an unforgettable adventure as you encounter the hidden stories that lie beneath Berlin’s streets.
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