Bunkermuseum Frauenwald

About the museum

Between 1973 and 1975, the East German Ministry for State Security (Stasi) had a command bunker built on the Rennsteig near Frauenwald under the code name "Trachtenfest" (Folk Costume Festival). In the event of war or crisis, the Suhl district operations command was to work from here. The facility lies hidden in a spruce forest and was so cleverly camouflaged that it hardly stood out as a military site. The complex also included a briefing room and emergency accommodation in what is now the hotel building, as well as separately located emergency power units.

Covering around 3,600 square meters, the bunker had its own communications and radio equipment, a telephone exchange, teleprinters, and a remote transmitter station. Filters, airlocks, oxygen generation, and decontamination systems were meant to protect the crew from radioactive fallout and chemical warfare agents – for up to a year in normal operation and for a few days in the event of nuclear war. A special feature is an additionally shielded "bunker within the bunker."

After German reunification, the site was initially administered by the federal government. Since 2004 the private operator of the neighboring Waldhotel Rennsteighöhe has shown the largely originally equipped facility as a museum. Because of its size and layout, it is accessible only on guided tours; there are also in-depth special tours for technology enthusiasts and photographers, as well as a 16-hour experience program with an overnight stay in the bunker.

Highlights

• Largely originally preserved communications and telecommunications equipment
• "Bunker within the bunker" as a specially protected core
• Airlocks, air filtration, and decontamination systems
• Working emergency power units in garages on the hotel grounds
• Overnight program "Reality Erlebnis" in the bunker

Permanent exhibitions

• Führungsbunker der Bezirkseinsatzleitung Suhl – Guided tour of the bunker complex, covering around 3,600 m², with its telecommunications equipment, protection and supply systems, and the "bunker within the bunker."

Founded

2004

Operated by

Waldhotel Rennsteighöhe (privat)

Admission & discounts

20% discount with the Thüringer Wald Card (according to the Thüringer Wald Card partner page).

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.

Getting there & parking

Hidden in the forest directly at the Waldhotel Rennsteighöhe; by car via a paved forest road that branches off the road between Bahnhof Rennsteig and Frauenwald (signposted Bunkermuseum/Waldhotel).

Amenities & dining

• Restaurant

Restaurant in the adjoining Waldhotel Rennsteighöhe.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.

Plan your visit