Government Bunker

About

Shortly before WWI, a series of tunnels were made for a strategic railway that came to fruition. In the 1930s the abandoned tunnels were used to farm mushrooms to make Germany less reliant on foreign imports, and at its peak was the country's largest single supplier. During WWII, the tunnels were used as a construction facility and makeshift air-raid shelter. Once the Cold War started to gain momentum, they were the ideal shelter for the West German government in the event of nuclear war. An additional 17 kilometers of tunnels were made, providing space for as many as 3000 people, with all necessities - even a hair salon! In 1997, when the capital of unified Germany was moved to Berlin, the bunker lost its purpose, and was decommissioned. Today, the 203 meters of surviving tunnels give visitors insight into the Cold War tensions as they pass control rooms, barracks, and offices.