Historischer Kunstbunker

About the museum

Beneath Nuremberg's castle hill lies an extensive network of cellars and passages, hewn by hand into the sandstone since the Middle Ages. Thanks to their constant cool temperature, the vaults were used mainly for brewing and storing beer.

Even before World War II began, there were plans to convert one of these cellars into a bombproof depot for works of art. As there was no official approval, the project was carried out largely in secret; one of the driving forces was Heinrich Kohlhaußen, then director of the Germanisches Nationalmuseum. When war broke out in 1939, the facility, under as much as 24 meters of rock, was fitted with heating, ventilation and drainage to ensure a stable climate. Among the items stored here were Veit Stoss's Angelic Salutation (Englischer Gruß), Martin Behaim's terrestrial globe, works by Albrecht Dürer and the Imperial Regalia, as well as looted art such as the Veit Stoss altarpiece from Kraków. As a result, most of the art treasures survived the air war, while the old town was almost completely destroyed.

Since 1996 the Kunstbunker has been open to the public on guided tours. It belongs to the Museen der Stadt Nürnberg group; the tours are run by the friends' association Förderverein Nürnberger Felsengänge. Since February 2026 the exhibition has been redesigned: it leads from the preparation of the population for war through art protection to the destruction and reconstruction of Nuremberg.

Highlights

• Largely preserved storage facility deep in the rock of the castle hill
• Original heating, ventilation and drainage equipment
• History of the evacuation of the Imperial Regalia and Nuremberg's art treasures
• Large-format photographs of the destroyed old town
• Exhibition redesigned in February 2026

Permanent exhibitions

• Kunstluftschutz, Zerstörung und Wiederaufbau in Nürnberg – Exhibition in the former beer cellar, redesigned in February 2026, showing how artworks were stored under technical protection and how the city was rebuilt after the bombing war.

Founded

1996

Operated by

Förderverein Nürnberger Felsengänge e.V. (im Verbund der Museen der Stadt Nürnberg)

Admission & discounts

Prices according to the price page of the Museen der Stadt Nürnberg; an older events page there still lists €11/reduced €9. The Kulturkarte and day and annual passes of the municipal museums are not valid. Tickets from the ticket machine at the entrance (daily 9:00–18:00), at the ticket shop at Albrecht-Dürer-Straße 35, at the tourist information office on the Hauptmarkt or online; individual tickets are non-refundable.

Accessibility

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

Step-free entrance without stairs, but with several thresholds up to 15 cm high; the passage to the rear area is only 70 cm wide and has a step. According to the operator, not accessible by wheelchair (the city states limited use with narrow wheelchairs up to 80 cm). Suitable for people with mild walking impairments, not for people with claustrophobia. Group tours for visually or hearing-impaired people available.

Kids & families

Only partly suitable for kids

Visits by guided tour only; children up to age 13 only when accompanied by adults. School class tours from grade 8.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

Animals other than assistance dogs are not allowed.

Events & venue rental

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

Plan your visit