Międzyrzecki Rejon Umocniony – Muzeum Fortyfikacji i Nietoperzy w Pniewie
Museum in the former bunkers of the Międzyrzecz Fortified Region, with guided underground tours and protection of bats.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Międzyrzecki Rejon Umocniony (Międzyrzecz Fortified Region), also called the Fortified Arc of the Oder and Warta, is a system of combat bunkers and underground corridors built by Germany in the 1930s in the so-called Lubusz Gate, between the Oder and the Warta. The plan, approved in October 1935, envisaged more than 100 combat structures across an area over 80 kilometres long. Construction began in 1936 and was finally halted in mid-1939.
Some of the structures were linked by a system of tunnels more than 35 km long, dug using mining methods at a depth of 20–50 m. Barracks complexes with ammunition, technical and welfare rooms were set up under the bunkers. Rail tracks were laid in the corridors and 18 stations were built. During the Second World War part of the underground was used to produce and repair engines, and forced labourers worked there.
Today the fortifications are open to tourists as the Muzeum Fortyfikacji i Nietoperzy w Pniewie (Museum of Fortifications and Bats in Pniewo). Tours are always guided, and several routes are available: short, long, extreme and surface. In the autumn and winter period the routes are shortened to protect hibernating bats. In 2025 a tender was announced for the design of the museum's exhibition hall.
Highlights
- Underground guided route through the combat bunker Pz.W. 717
- Underground barracks and corridors with rail tracks
- Protection of hibernating bats: routes are shortened in winter
- Option to return by BTR-152 armoured personnel carrier
- Extreme route of up to 8 hours
Permanent exhibition
- Podziemne trasy Międzyrzeckiego Rejonu Umocnionego – Guided tour of the combat bunker Pz.W. 717, underground barracks and corridors with rail tracks. In winter the routes avoid the bats' hibernation sites.
Admission & discounts
| Adults | 39 zł |
|---|---|
| Reduced | 35 złpupils, students up to age 26, disability pensioners and pensioners |
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 5 · Children under 6 enter free (except on the extreme route, which is not permitted for children under 6). |
| Seniors | 35 złPensioners and disability pensioners. |
| Visitors with disabilities | 28 złPrice for people with disabilities: adults PLN 28, children PLN 27 (short route). |
| Students & apprentices | 35 złPupils and students up to age 26. |
| Groups | 33 zł per personShort route: adults PLN 33, children PLN 30. Booking required at least one week in advance. For adult groups of more than 20 people the guide is included in the price, and the same applies to school groups of more than 10 people; one free ticket for a supervisor is provided for every 10 children. |
| Families | 130 złShort route for a family of 2+2: PLN 130; long route: PLN 140. The surcharge for each additional child is PLN 5. |
| Long route (standard) | 45 złReduced: PLN 40 |
| Extreme route of up to 4 hours | 60 złPlus guide fee |
| Extreme route of up to 6 hours | 75 złPlus guide fee |
| Extreme route of up to 8 hours | 100 złPlus guide fee |
The prices given are for the short route (from PLN 39 standard and PLN 35 reduced). The long route costs PLN 45 (reduced PLN 40). Telephone booking is compulsory.
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
Part of the underground route leads down stairs (about 150 steps). Animals are not allowed on the site of the Międzyrzecz Fortified Region (MRU). For people who do not want to go underground, a surface route is available.
Kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 5 |
|---|---|
| Family ticket | 130 zł · Short route for a family of 2+2: PLN 130; long route: PLN 140. The surcharge for each additional child is PLN 5. |
A family ticket is available. Children under 6 enter free, but the extreme route is not permitted for them. The underground route includes about 150 steps.
Getting there & parking
The museum is in the village of Pniewo, near Międzyrzecz.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes · approx. 1.5 hrs |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | The short route lasts up to 1.5 hours (about 1,500 m), the long route up to 2.5 hours (about 2,500 m), the extreme route 4 to 8 hours, and the surface route just over an hour. The underground stays at a constant temperature of 10°C, so take warmer clothing in summer. The short route is lit; for longer routes a personal light source and comfortable footwear are recommended. Drinking alcohol and smoking are prohibited underground, and people under the influence of alcohol or drugs are not admitted. After the tour you can return to the museum site by combat armoured personnel carrier BTR-152. |
