Silkeborg Bunker Museum

Useful Information

Location:	Gjessøvej 40d, Silkeborg Bath, 8600 Silkeborg. In the park of the Art Centre Silkeborg Spa. (56.152423
Open:	MAR to NOV Sun 13-16. [2023]
Fee:	Adults DKK 50, Children (0-11) free. [2023]
Classification:	World War II Bunker
Light:	Incandescent Electric Light System
Dimension:
Guided tours:	self guided
Photography:	allowed
Accessibility:	no
Bibliography:
Address:	Silkeborg Bunker Museum, Gjessøvej 40d, Silkeborg Bath, 8600 Silkeborg, Tel: +45-86813885 (reservations). 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

MAR-1943	first bunkers built.
03-NOV-1943	Hitler issued Directive no. 51, which ordered full alert for the German occupational force in Denmark.
05-NOV-1943	German Headquartes moved to Silkeborg Spa.
05-MAY-1945	the British ordered, that the headquarters should be used to organize the withdrawal of the German troops in Denmark.
06-JUN-1945	last 350 German soldiers repatriated.
06-JUN-1945	German troops left finally, facility became refugee camp.
summer 1947	last refugees left the facility.

Description

The bunkers at Silkeborg Spa were built by the Germans during World War II. At this time Denmark was occupied and the Germans had their headquarters at Nyboder School in Copenhagen. They were looking for an alternative location, and so they built this facility. Silkeborg Spa became headquarters of the 416th Infantry Division's General Staff, headed by Lieutenant general Pliger. Altogether an area of 40 ha was requisitioned and barracks and bunkers were built. 40 concrete buildings were erected, of which twelve were bunkers with two metre thick walls. The Germans were afraid of an allied invasion in Jütland and so Hitler ordered full alert for the German occupational force in Denmark in November 1943. The headquarters moved to Silkeborg Spa two days later, and Silkeborg became field headquarters for the German head of command in Denmark, General der Infanterie Herman von Hanneken.

But the facility was not liquidated at the end of the war. On the 05-MAY-1945, the British ordered, that the headquarters should be used to organize the withdrawal of the German troops in Denmark. 350 German soldiers were left at Silkeborg Spa until 06-JUN-1945, when they were disarmed and repatriated.

Now the barracks became refugee camp for German refugees, and it became necessary to build additional barracks. The refugees called the older German buildings Altstadt (old town) and the new barracks Neustadt (new town). The facility was used as refugee camp until summer 1947, when the last refugees left.

The Silkeborg Bunker Museum is located in one of the twelve German troop bunkers and shows photos and documents of the time of German occupation during World War II, and the time of the refugee camp after the war. It is maintained by a private interest group.