Bundesbank-Bunker

Useful Information

Location:	Cochem-Cond, Am Wald 35. In summer BunkerShuttle from Endertplatz directly to the museum. (50.152310, 7.174890)
Open:	JAN to MAR Sat 11, 13, 15. APR to OCT daily 11-15, hourly. NOV to 23-DEC Wed, Sat, Sun 11, 13, 15. 26-DEC to 31-DEC daily 11, 13, 15. 24-DEC, 25-DEC, 01-JAN closed. BunkerShuttle MAY to OCT daily outbound 10:40, 12:40, 14:40, return 12:30, 14:30, 16:30. [2018]
Fee:	Adults EUR 10, Children (12-17) EUR 5, Family (2+5) EUR 23. Groups: Minimum flat rate (up to 12) EUR 120, Adults EUR 9.50. BunkerShuttle: Adults EUR 4, Children (-12) EUR 2. [2018]
Classification:	Secret Bunkers
Light:	Incandescent Electric Light System
Dimension:	L=300 m, Ar=1.500 m².
Guided tours:	D=60 min.
Photography:	allowed
Accessibility:	no
Bibliography:
Address:	Bundesbank Bunker Cochem, Reuter & Reuter GbR, Am Wald 35, 56812 Cochem-Cond, Tel: 02671-9153540, Fax: 02672-9362-34. E-mail:
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then. Please check rates and details directly with the companies in question if you need more recent info.

History

Description

The Bundesbank Bunker in Cochem was a typical bunker of the Cold War. Hidden in the residential area of Cochem-Cond, it was disguised as a training centre for Bundesbank employees. Here, 15 billion D-Marks of a substitute currency were stored during the Cold War. This emergency currency was to replace the D-Mark in case of enemy intervention in the form of counterfeit money.

Attempts were known from the Second World War to cause a devaluation of the currency on a large scale by counterfeiting the money of the enemy. The Nazis had printed huge quantities of counterfeit Pound notes but were not able to put them into circulation. These were destroyed by the Allies immediately after the war.

This kind of attack obviously fitted very well into the Cold War world view. This explains why the Bundesbank went to considerable lengths to have this substitute currency ready. In the event of such an attack, the D-mark would have been replaced immediately by the substitute currency. The bunker was set up to operate completely independent of the outside world for 14 days in the event of war. There were also plans to exchange all the D-Mark notes in circulation safely and quickly.

Due to the difficult parking situation at the bunker, it is highly recommended to either walk there (10 minutes from Moselbad, 15-20 minutes from Cochem railway station) or take the bus. The so-called BunkerShuttle runs in time for the guided tours at 11 am, 1 pm and 3 pm. The parking situation there is not good either, but much better than in the residential area around the bunker.