Hamburg's secret bunkers: From war ruins to modern landmarks!

Hamburg's secret bunkers: From war ruins to modern landmarks!

Hamburg, the Hanseatic city of contrasts, opens its doors to an exciting journey into history. The “Steintorwall Deep Bunker”, which is right next to the main train station, is particularly impressive. You reach the bunker-like shelter via 35 steps, which has a constant climate of around 12 degrees. It's not suitable for flip-flops or high heels, but it's perfect for a history-filled visit. The tours are led by Michael and Sonja Richter and take guests on a journey through time. More than 1,000 documented bunkers from the Second World War shape Hamburg's cityscape, many of which have already been converted, reports ka-news.

The Steintorwall bunker itself has an eventful history: It was built by forced laborers and was used as a restaurant and hotel after the war. From October 1964 it was converted into an NBC bunker, which was intended to provide protection against nuclear, biological and chemical threats. With a capacity of 2,702 people, the bunker had two halves that closed automatically once the maximum number was reached. Inside, people found places to sleep in bunk beds, the so-called “Sleeping Beauty” version, and were equipped with the bare essentials – including curd soap and dishes, but without knives and forks. Historian Stephanie Kanne also offers insights into the tube bunkers of Hamburg-Hamm, a district that was heavily destroyed during the war and now has interesting stories to offer.

Diverse conversions and lively city life

There are a large number of bunkers in Hamburg that are now experiencing new life. An outstanding example is the “Energy Bunker” in Wilhelmsburg, which was converted into a climate-friendly power plant after extensive renovation work in 2010. With an impressive height of 20 meters, it stores heat and supplies the Reiherstieg district with environmentally friendly energy. It uses a mixture of solar energy, biogas, wood pellets and waste heat and is expected to save around 6,600 tons of CO2 annually, reports IBA Hamburg.

Thanks to state-of-the-art technology, the bunker's energy production can reach up to 22,500 megawatt hours of heat and almost 3,000 megawatt hours of electricity - that's enough for around 3,000 households. The café in the bunker, which is also planned, with its 30 meter high terrace, invites visitors to linger and offers a fantastic view of the city. The café is open from Friday to Sunday and entry costs just 1 euro, which can even be converted into a voucher for the café.

Insights into history

Hamburg has reported over 1,000 bunkers built during World War II NDR. At the height of air raids in 1940, an emergency program of bunker construction was launched to protect the vital submarine and oil industries. Some bunkers, such as the well-known “media bunker” on the Heiligengeistfeld, have been converted into modern facilities that now serve as cultural venues. The conversion to living space or for cultural events also shows how Hamburg deals with its past.

Right in the heart of the city, historic bunkers are not only a symbol of the dangers of the past war, but also a sign of the charm and innovative strength of Hamburg. The wide range of converted bunkers, from venues to residential complexes, illustrates how the city is actively integrating its history into modern times.