Bunkermuseum Wn 12H Vlieland

About the museum

The museum is located in the dune area of Oost-Vlieland on the site of Widerstandsnest (resistance nest) 12H, which the German occupiers built from 1941 as part of the Atlantic Wall. Of the three strongpoints on the island, only this position survived. After the war, wooden bunkers were dismantled for building material and concrete structures were partly rendered unusable; the trenches later lay under up to three metres of dune sand.

The impetus for a museum came shortly after 2000 from the Stichting Informatiecentrum De Noordwester foundation. In 2012 a joint initiative of all the Dutch Wadden Islands began in order to obtain money from the Waddenfonds for such projects. From 2017 the complex was uncovered and reconstructed on the basis of the original German construction plans; a new underground reception bunker was built as well. The Province of Fryslân, the municipality of Vlieland and private donors financed the project, and the museum opened to the public in June 2020.

In the reception bunker an exhibition tells of life on Vlieland during the war years and of the reasons for building the fortifications; a short film covers the war years on the islands and the Atlantic Wall. After that the route leads through trenches, bunkers, lookout points and gun emplacements. Documents, photos and finds are displayed in eleven bunkers, and outdoors there is, among other things, a medium anti-aircraft gun. The collection is growing through donations.

Highlights

• The only surviving German position on Vlieland
• Exhibition in the underground reception bunker with a short film
• Walk through trenches and eleven bunkers with finds
• Outdoor exhibition with an anti-aircraft gun
• Dogs on a leash allowed

Permanent exhibitions

• Vlieland im Zweiten Weltkrieg – Exhibition in the reception bunker about mobilisation, occupation, liberation and the first years afterwards, with a short film on the Atlantic Wall and the war years.
• Stellung Wn 12H im Freien – Trenches, gun emplacements and eleven bunkers with documents, photos and finds, as well as an anti-aircraft gun.

Founded

2020

Admission & discounts

Free admission with the museum's Vriendenpas, the Ministry of Defence's Veteranenpas and the Vlielander Eilandpas. With a valid Museumkaart there is a 20% discount on the admission price.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• 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 position lies next to and partly within the dunes; narrow trenches and stairs make a tour by wheelchair impossible; only the reception bunker is accessible. There is an accessible toilet. Dogs on a leash are welcome in the museum and on the grounds.

Kids & families

• Baby changing facilities: not available

There is no baby changing facility.

Getting there & parking

The museum is located on Kantonnierspad in the dunes, about 450 metres west of the Ankerplaats. Vlieland can only be reached by ferry.

Amenities & dining

• Café

Coffee, tea and soft drinks are available in the reception bunker, but no food; food and drinks brought from outside only on the outdoor terrace.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit