BunkerMuseum IJmuiden

About the museum

The museum lies in the dunes near IJmuiden aan Zee on the site of the Marine coastal battery Heerenduin, which the German Wehrmacht built in the Second World War as part of the Atlantic Wall. The complex was meant to protect the harbour entrance and the coast against an Allied landing. Volunteers of the WN2000 foundation gradually set up exhibitions in individual bunkers.

From a single bunker the museum grew into a tour through several installations: a second bunker was joined by an entrance bunker and a trench system with further bunkers, which are now linked by partly covered connecting trenches. Since 2014 an underground pavilion has been part of it, with a Seehund midget submarine that put to sea from IJmuiden with its crew in the last days of the war.

The exhibitions show everyday objects from German and Dutch households, aiming optics and coastal artillery, anti-aircraft technology, soldiers' life and the resistance. The museum works exclusively with volunteers and is funded without government subsidies through admissions and donations. In addition, guides offer outdoor tours through the dune area with the heavy gun bunkers of Heerenduin and the Olmen anti-aircraft battery.

Highlights

• Seehund midget submarine in the underground pavilion
• Nine bunkers and exhibitions, linked by communication trenches
• Exhibitions on the Atlantic Wall, coastal artillery, anti-aircraft guns and soldiers' life
• Outdoor tours through the dune area with the Heerenduin battery and the Olmen anti-aircraft battery
• Museum run entirely by volunteers

Permanent exhibitions

• Seehundpaviljoen – Underground pavilion with a preserved German Seehund midget submarine and an exhibition on the fast attack boat.
• Expo Atlantikwall – A bunker hidden in the trench system deals with the construction, equipment and field of fire of the Atlantic Wall fortress.
• Entreebunker mit Widerstandsausstellung – The entrance bunker once housed up to 24 soldiers and today contains the resistance exhibition as well as the ticket desk and shop.

Operated by

Stichting WN2000

Admission & discounts

Veterans and donors have free admission. The Museumkaart is not accepted. Tickets are also available as gift vouchers; online reservation is recommended but not required. Group tours with a guide cost €120 per guide (max. 16 people) for private groups and non-profit organisations, €180 for companies and €100 for school classes.

Accessibility

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

The bunkers are in the dunes and have stairs, so the museum is not wheelchair accessible. Dogs are not allowed in the bunkers, except assistance dogs.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

According to the museum, there is something to see even for the youngest visitors, especially children interested in history. School classes can book an outdoor tour.

Getting there & parking

Satnav address: Badweg 38 (the entrance is also there).

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop
• Wi-Fi: not available

Museum shop in the entrance bunker. Eating and drinking is allowed only in the entrance bunker and outdoors.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit