Westwallmuseum Wiltingen

Two privately restored Westwall bunkers above the Saar near Wiltingen: an artillery observation post and a machine-gun embrasure bunker.

Opening hoursFree admission

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Limited operations. On opening days only the artillery observation post is accessible; the machine-gun embrasure bunker is closed until further notice.

About the museum

The Westwallmuseum Wiltingen came about through private initiative and comprises two bunkers of the Westwall, the line of fortifications on the German western border built in the late 1930s. Both facilities lie on the slope above the Saar near the railway line.

At the end of 2004, Sven Zimmer acquired the property with the machine-gun embrasure bunker, a standard type B1/1 design for five to six men. The bunker had been sealed with concrete and was largely buried; only the ceiling and embrasure plate were visible. Over years of work, the access, gas lock, and combat and crew rooms were uncovered, with many original inscriptions preserved. Because of the steep location by the railway embankment, the bunker received an added stairwell. Together with three facilities that have since disappeared, it once secured the Saar bridge at Wiltingen. It has been open to the public since 2008.

Later the artillery observation post was added, a standard type 19 design built in 1938 for six men with an open observation post, flanking facility, and combined combat and calculation room. Here too, the buried entrance courtyard first had to be dug out. From the observation post, the view extends over the Saar valley to Schoden, Biebelhausen, and Ayl.

The bunkers are looked after by Marc Steinfeld and Sven Zimmer, who announce the opening days on their website every year.

Highlights

Artillery observation post (standard type 19) with open observation post
Machine-gun embrasure bunker (standard type B1/1) on the railway embankment above the Saar
Original inscriptions in the bunker rooms
View of the Saar valley
Free admission

Permanent exhibitions

Artilleriebeobachter – Restored bunker of the standard type 19 with an open observation post and furnished crew room. It is currently the part of the museum accessible on opening days.
MG-Schartenstand – Uncovered combat position on the railway embankment above the Saar with gas lock, combat room, and original embrasure plate; closed until further notice.

Founded: 2008
Operated by: Private Initiative (Marc Steinfeld und Sven Zimmer)