Deutsches Bunkermuseum

About the museum

The A8 high-rise bunker in Schweinfurt's Oberndorf district was built in 1941 as a public air-raid shelter opposite the Fichtel & Sachs works, which is why it is still called the "Fichtel-und-Sachs-Bunker" today. The industrial city, with its ball bearing production, was the target of heavy Allied air raids, especially in 1943 and 1944; residents sought protection behind concrete walls up to three meters thick. The brick facade with painted-on fake windows was meant to make the structure look like an ordinary building.

During the Cold War, the bunker was modernized for civil defense in 1983 and equipped with, among other things, pressure doors, a ventilation system, and a sand filter.

At the beginning of 2014, Nils and Petra Brennecke founded the Deutsche Bunkermuseum in the bunker, which they have run since then in their free time and mostly from private funds; in 2025 both were awarded the Federal Cross of Merit for it. The exhibition, by its own account the largest in the world on civil air-raid protection, shows on several floors gas protection, a field hospital, bunker technology, bomb remnants and wreckage of crashed aircraft, a Bundeswehr shelter, as well as sections on the air-raid auxiliary service, rubble women, and the division of Germany. The operators' guiding motto is "Nie wieder Krieg" (Never again war).

Highlights

• Original high-rise bunker of 1941 with walls up to three meters thick
• Extensive collection on civil air-raid protection
• Reconstructed private air-raid cellar with original objects
• Bomb remnants and wreckage of German and Allied aircraft
• Civil defense technology from the Cold War
• Personal tour by the operators

Permanent exhibitions

• Ziviler Luftschutz im Zweiten Weltkrieg und Kalten Krieg – Tour over several floors with gas protection, field hospital, communications, bunker technology, bomb remnants and crash finds, as well as a Bundeswehr shelter and topics on the division of Germany.
• Schweinfurt im Luftkrieg – Exhibition by the city of Schweinfurt on the air raids on the industrial city and their consequences for the population.
• Bayerisches Rotes Kreuz Schweinfurt 1933–1983 – Section on the history of the BRK Schweinfurt district association in war and the postwar period.

Founded

2014

Operated by

Nils und Petra Brennecke (ehrenamtlich, privat)

Admission & discounts

Date, procedure, and costs are agreed before the visit.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• 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 historic bunker is not accessible; the tour leads up stairs from the first floor to the fifth floor. For wheelchair users, only the first floor is accessible with a companion – please arrange in advance. Seating and a restroom are available.

Kids & families

Only partly suitable for kidsRecommended for ages 12+

Recommended from age 12, but younger children may take part; war and its consequences are the subject of the exhibition. Families can form their own group of 10 or more.

Getting there & parking

The bunker is located in the Oberndorf district opposite the former Fichtel-und-Sachs works. River cruise groups stopping at the Schweinfurt Main landing stage can arrange the route to the museum in advance.

Amenities & dining

• Café: not available
• Restaurant: not available
• Coat check: not available

Snack for groups by prior arrangement, plus the museum's own beer "Bunker Blond". Bags and backpacks may not be taken into the bunker. Dogs are not allowed. Books and items are available in the museum's online shop.

Events & venue rental

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

Plan your visit