Bunkermuseum Wurzenpass/Kärnten

About the museum

During the Cold War, neutral Austria built a secret network of bunkers, positions and barriers intended to halt attackers on important transit routes. From 1962, the country's largest contiguous blocking position was built at the Wurzenpass on the border with what was then Yugoslavia. It was meant to prevent advances into the Arnoldstein and Villach area; in 1968 during the Prague Spring and in 1991 during the Slovenian war of independence, the installations were actually manned by soldiers. For their defence, the Armed Forces set up the blocking company WURZEN/73 from reservists in 1979, which existed until 1994.

Until 2002 the core area was kept secret and ready for action. Andreas Scherer, the last commander of the blocking company, then developed it into a museum as a private initiative; he is supported by the association IG BUNKER-museum.at, founded in 2000. Since 2005 the listed site has been open to the public between mid-May and the end of October.

Visitors explore, across roughly 11,400 square metres, seven interconnected bunkers with combat, command, supply and shelter rooms, trenches and tunnel-like passageways in their original condition, including Centurion-type tank turrets, the last of their kind in Carinthia. In the outdoor area, an extensive collection of the military technology available to the Armed Forces during the Cold War is on display, from bunkered tank turrets and guns to vehicles, boats and dummy installations. The museum sees itself as a memorial for peace at the tri-border area of Austria, Slovenia and Italy.

Highlights

• Seven connected bunkers with passageways and combat positions in their original condition
• Centurion-type tank turrets, the last preserved ones in Carinthia
• Military technology collection with a bunkered T34 and Kürassier tank destroyer
• Ride in an armoured personnel carrier on action days
• Cannon goulash from the original field kitchen
• View towards Slovenia and the tri-border area

Permanent exhibitions

• Original-Anlage – Core area of the blocking position with anti-tank, anti-aircraft and command bunkers, power supply and shelter, connected by passageways with combat positions.
• Wehrtechnik-Präsentation – Tank turrets, embrasure weapons, guns, armoured vehicles, boats and dummy installations set up in the outdoor area, as used by the Armed Forces during the Cold War – all rendered unusable.

Founded

2005

Operated by

Andreas Scherer (private Initiative, unterstützt vom Verein IG BUNKER-museum.at)

Director

Andreas Scherer

Admission & discounts

Reduced with the Kärnten Card and the Carinthian Family Card (adults €8.50). Free admission for soldiers of the Armed Forces, members of the association IG BUNKER-museum.at and with the culture pass “Hunger auf Kunst & Kultur”. Payment by cash, Bankomat card or credit card (Mastercard, Visa).

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Former defence installation with trenches, tunnels and bunkers, therefore not fully accessible. Despite the driving ban, guests with reduced mobility may drive from the B109 directly into the museum grounds and park there. The visitor centre with its exhibition is accessible without steps; in the outdoor area the team will show which areas can be used by wheelchair. Dogs are welcome.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops: not available
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide: not available
• Stroller-friendly: not available

The museum explicitly sees itself as a destination for the whole family and also teaches children why such installations are no longer needed today. According to the museum, dedicated materials and programmes for children are in the works. It is best to leave strollers at the visitor centre, as the grounds cannot be navigated throughout.

Getting there & parking

Via the Kärntner Straße B83 and the Wurzenpass federal road B109; from the A2 coming from the east take exit Villach-Warmbad, from the west exit Arnoldstein. A driving ban for trailers applies on the B109 (steep section with an 18% gradient); leave caravans in Riegersdorf. Satnav coordinates: 46.534736, 13.748197. The museum is in the market municipality of Arnoldstein, about three kilometres as the crow flies from the tri-border area.

Amenities & dining

• Restaurant: not available
• Museum shop

Museum shop with souvenirs, militaria, specialist literature, bunker wine and honey as well as chilled drinks, bunker coffee, ice cream and snacks. On tank action days, cannon goulash from the field kitchen, sausages and vegan chilli.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit