Bunkermuseum Antwerpen

About the museum

The Bunkermuseum Antwerpen is located in a unique bunker complex in Park den Brandt in Wilrijk. From 1942 the German occupiers requisitioned houses around the park for the headquarters of the 89th Army Corps, which defended part of the Belgian and Zeeland coast. About twelve bunkers and numerous smaller structures were built there. Some are light bunkers with a concrete wall one metre thick; others are heavier types with walls and roofs at least two metres thick and their own gas protection.

The bunkers were protected as a monument in 2004. They are considered the only fully preserved ensemble of such a command post in Europe. In and around the park and on the Wilrijk square, eleven bunkers are protected; a twelfth lies on private land.

The museum is run by the non-profit organisation (vzw) Bunkermuseum Antwerpen, formerly Bunker & Vliegtuig Archeologie Antwerpen, in cooperation with the City of Antwerp. The city owns the bunkers and grants the vzw a concession to use them; the vzw works with volunteers. The museum preserves the Antwerp Atlantic Wall heritage and the memory of the city's role in the Second World War. Because the port was heavily hit by V-weapons, it also devotes attention to the air war.

Highlights

• Protected bunker village in Park den Brandt, recognised as a monument in 2004
• Command bunker SK1 and other opened bunkers
• Attention to the V1, the V2 and the attacks on Antwerp
• Exhibition on the Allied headquarters S.H.A.E.F.
• Guided tours by volunteers

Permanent exhibitions

• Bunkerdorp Atlantikwall – A walk past the opened bunkers of the former headquarters of the 89th Army Corps, with up to three bunker types per visit.
• V-wapens en de luchtoorlog – Collection and explanation about the V1, V2 and other V-weapons aimed at Antwerp, and about the Allied headquarters S.H.A.E.F.

Operated by

vzw Bunkermuseum Antwerpen

Admission & discounts

You can pay in cash or with the other payment methods listed.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: not available
• Elevator: not available
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The entrances to the opened bunkers can only be reached by stairs, with the exception of the small medical bunker. Inside, everything is on one level, but the passages are at most 80 cm wide and usually have a threshold of about 7 cm.

Kids & families

Children under 12 enter free. There is a separate rate for school groups.

Getting there & parking

The museum is outside the low-emission zone. The entrance is on Acacialaan, opposite Seringenlaan, behind the green gate on the left, next to but not at number 15. From Antwerpen Centraal, buses 17 and trams 2 and 6 run; from Antwerpen-Zuid, buses 180 and 181. Velo shared bikes: station 270 Dikke Mee (about 400 m) and station 276 Corbusier (about 600 m).

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Museum shop with books, stickers, key rings, pins and T-shirts; reserving or having items sent can be arranged via the contact form.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit