Bunker Harnekop

Useful Information

Location:	Strausberg in Brandenburg. A10 exit 3 Berlin Marzahn or exit 4 Hellersdorf, through Strausberg and Prötzel to Harnekop. Through the city, at the limits turn left into Seestraße, then Lindenallee to the parking lot. Use phone installed at the guard-house.
Open:	MAR to OCT Tue, Fir 12, Sat, Sun, Hol 10, 12, 14, 16. NOV to FEB Sat, Sun, Hol 12, 14. [2008]
Fee:	Adults EUR 10, School Pupils EUR 5, Students EUR 7.50, Apprentices EUR 7.50. [2008]
Classification:	Secret Bunker
Light:	Incandescent Electric Light System
Dimension:	L=60 m, W=40 m, H=21 m, Ar=5000m², VR=30 m.
Guided tours:	D=90 min.
Photography:
Accessibility:
Bibliography:
Address:	Baudenkmal Bunker Harnekop e. V., c/o Wilhelm Brandt, Werlseestrasse 47, 12587 Berlin, Tel: +49-30-6458963. E-mail: Reservations: Baudenkmal Bunker Harnekop e.V., Lindenallee 1, 15345 Prötzel OT Harnekop, Tel: +49-33436-35727, Fax: +49-33436-35727. 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

1971	start of construction.
1976	bunker completed.
1977	visited by the minister of defense of the Soviet Union.
1990	used for civil communication because of the poor infrastructure in east Germany.
1993	closed.
25-MAY-2000	Baudenkmal Bunker Harnekop e. V. founded.

Description

The bunker at Harnekop is called Atombunker Harnekop (nuclear war bunker Harnekop) or with its original military number SBW 16/102. It was constructed between 1971 and 1976 by the Ministerium für Nationale Verteidigung (MfNV, ministry for national defense). It is located northeast of Berlin between Werneuchen, Strausberg and Bad Freienwalde, hidden in a forest. It is reached from the nearby hamlet Harnekop.

The now defunct and empty barracks near Harnekop are very secluded, and only few locals knew how to reach it. During the time of the German Democratic Republic, there were no sign leading to this place. And the locals who knew abut the place did not know about its importance. This was the most important secret of the GDR: the bunker of the Minister für Nationale Verteidigung (minister for defence).

The bunker has three levels reaching down 30 m into the sand and gravels of northern Germany. 95 steps lead into the bunker which was equipped with the best equipment of the time, and could host 450 people for about one month. The concrete walls are up to three meters thick and the special doors are pressure resistant and gas proof. The floors are lying on huge steel springs to make the bunker extremely resistant against a direct hit, as a result the floors continualy swing and vibrate. The bunker is equipped with its own well, water tanks and four diesel generators for electricity. The infrastructure was intended for the personell of the minister of defense, so it included comunication, computer systems, and conference rooms. This installations are located in the upper level. The middle level contains kitchen, casino, dormitories and sick bay. The lowest level cantains the technical infrastructure.

The bunker is almost completely in its original state of the 1970s, most installations still exist. It is declared a State Monument and enrolled in the Landesdenkmalliste (List of State Monuments). The Baudenkmal Bunker Harnekop e. V., a non profit organization formed by locals mainains the bunker and opens it to the public.