Westwallmuseum Irrel

About the museum

Panzerwerk Katzenkopf was built between 1937 and 1939 as part of the Westwall, the system of fortifications the Nazi regime had constructed along the western border of the German Reich. It is one of the so-called B-Werke (B-type works), with reinforced concrete walls up to two meters thick, and is considered the northernmost fortification of its kind. On several levels reaching down about 30 meters were 45 rooms, including quarters for 84 soldiers, combat rooms, ammunition stores, sanitary facilities and a kitchen; two tunnels with a combined length of 138 meters led to a separate armored turret.

After the war, the French occupying forces blew up the above-ground section in 1947, and the complex was then filled in. Inspired by a reunion of former members of Infantry Regiment 39, the Freiwillige Feuerwehr Irrel (volunteer fire department) began excavating the buried bunker in July 1976. Some 75,000 hours of volunteer work created a museum that has welcomed visitors since 1979 and is still looked after by the fire department today.

On three levels open to visitors, photos, documents, weapons and equipment illustrate the daily life of the garrison in the bunker and the destruction of Irrel by days of bombing toward the end of the war. On the concrete rubble of the demolished upper structure, a memorial commemorates the more than 4,000 members of the regiment who were killed or went missing.

Highlights

• Underground B-type Westwall fortification from 1937–1939
• Three bunker levels open to visitors, with original rooms
• Exhibition on the life of the garrison and the destruction of Irrel
• Memorial on the rubble of the demolished upper structure
• Excavated and maintained by the Freiwillige Feuerwehr Irrel since 1976

Permanent exhibitions

• Panzerwerk Katzenkopf – A tour through three underground levels of the Westwall fortification with photos, documents, weapons and equipment on the daily life of the garrison and the end of the war in Irrel.

Founded

1979

Operated by

Freiwillige Feuerwehr Irrel

Admission & discounts

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: not available
• 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 museum is not accessible. The temperature in the bunker is about 10 °C (50 °F) year-round.

Kids & families

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

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

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

Events & venue rental

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

Plan your visit