Commandobunker Kemmel
Cold War bunker from the 1950s, twenty metres deep in the Kemmelberg, with preserved equipment of the Belgian high command.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Kemmel Command Bunker was built by the Belgian army between 1951 and 1953 in the flank of the Kemmelberg. It was intended as the centre of a new air defence system, but it never fulfilled that role: NATO took over air defence and the feared threat shifted from Germany to the Soviet Union. The Belgian high command therefore decided to equip the bunker as a command post with modern communication equipment, for exercises or in the event of a crisis or conflict.
From 1965 the bunker was to become the headquarters of the Belgian armed forces in the event of an attack under Soviet leadership, from where the defence of Belgium and parts of West Germany would be directed. It lies twenty metres deep and has two floors: one for command and one for communications, each with technical installations. After the Cold War it was decommissioned, but almost everything was preserved.
Since 2017 the bunker has been part of the War Heritage Institute, which opens it to the public. Visitors descend 80 steps and see the perfectly preserved equipment and layout as they were during the Cold War.
Highlights
- Secret Belgian army command post from the Cold War
- Twenty metres deep, with a command floor and a communications floor
- Perfectly preserved equipment and layout
- Descent by a staircase of 80 steps
- Visits at fixed start times, and a guide for groups
Permanent exhibition
- Commandobunker Kemmel – You visit the almost completely preserved Cold War command post of the Belgian armed forces, spread over a command floor and a communications floor.
- Operated by
- War Heritage Institute
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €12 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €9Holders of various discount cards; according to Toerisme Heuvelland also students over 18 with a student card, military personnel of foreign armed forces, WIGW status and members of FED+ |
| Children & teens | €1.50free up to age 5 · Young people aged 6 to 18 pay €1.50; children under 6 are free. |
| Visitors with disabilities | freecompanion free · People with a disability and their companion have free admission (according to Toerisme Heuvelland). |
| Groups (15+ people) | €4 per personAdult groups of 15 or more people pay €4 per person; young people aged 6 to 18 in a group pay €1.50. |
| Guided tour (per guide, maximum 25 people) | €80Lasts about one hour. |
| Visitor guide | €1On sale when you buy your ticket. |
The bunker is included in the Museumpas. Payment at the entrance is by card only; you can buy online through Toerisme Heuvelland. Free for, among others, Riebedebie cardholders with a companion, ICOM members, press members, Belgian military personnel and veterans.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible: not available
- Elevator: not available
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The bunker is not accessible to wheelchair users and has no lift: the only access is a staircase of 80 steps down. Animals are not admitted, except assistance dogs.
Kids & families
| Time needed | approx. 60 min |
|---|---|
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 5 |
Getting there & parking
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Amenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes · approx. 60 min |
|---|---|
| Good to know | A visit lasts on average one hour and at most one and a half hours. A maximum of 60 people may be in the bunker at the same time. Book guided group tours through Toerisme Heuvelland (toerisme@heuvelland.be). |
