Festungsgürtel Kreuzlingen

About the museum

The Festungsgürtel Kreuzlingen was planned starting in 1935 and built starting in 1937. It was meant to prevent enemy troops from advancing from Lake Constance across the wooded Seerücken ridge into the Thur valley. The line runs about 11.5 kilometers from Triboltingen over the heights of the Seerücken to Lengwil and Bottighofen and originally comprised more than 80 bunkers, as well as obstacles, command and observation posts, shelters and depots.

The responsible unit was the Thurgau Grenzbrigade 7, formed at the beginning of 1938; during the Cold War it was part of the Grenzdivision 7. Over the decades the installations were expanded, including with anti-tank guns, nuclear-proof shelters and fortress mortars. With Army Reform 95, the border brigades were dissolved and the bunkers were no longer used militarily.

The Verein Festungsgürtel Kreuzlingen, founded in 2003, maintains some of the still fully equipped installations together with the host municipalities and opened them to visitors in 2004. Visitors can see the village bunker in Bottighofen, disguised as a residential house, the bunker built into the railway embankment in Lengwil, and the underground command post of the Grenzbrigade 7 in Weinfelden. Visits are only possible with a guided tour.

Highlights

• Village bunker Bottighofen: infantry bunker disguised as a residential house, in its original condition
• Railway embankment bunker Lengwil with infantry weapons
• Underground command bunker of the Grenzbrigade 7 in Weinfelden
• Bunker walks along the 11.5 km fortification belt
• Public bunker tours and guided tours for groups and schools

Permanent exhibitions

• Dorfbunker Bottighofen – Infantry bunker behind an inconspicuous residential house, largely in its original condition; after an introductory video, weapons, operation and the daily life of soldiers are explained.
• Bahndammbunker Lengwil – Infantry bunker built into the railway embankment of the Kreuzlingen–Weinfelden line, plus a selection of infantry weapons.
• Kommandobunker Weinfelden – Underground command facility of the Grenzbrigade 7 with briefing room, officers' offices, weapons collection, sleeping quarters and technical room.

Founded

2004

Operated by

Verein Festungsgürtel Kreuzlingen

Admission & discounts

Rates for guided visits: a base flat rate of CHF 100 for one site, CHF 50 for each additional site; plus CHF 7 per adult, and CHF 5 per person for schools and military. Depending on the type and size of the tour, a special arrangement is possible. Prices for the public bunker tours are not published.

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Kids & families

Only partly suitable for kids

• Family tours & workshops

Guided tours for families and school classes are possible; for schools, the association recommends visits from lower secondary school (Oberstufe) onward.

Getting there & parking

Locations: bunker A5701 Bottighofen–Dorf (Bunkerweg, 8598 Bottighofen), bunker A5683 Lengwil–Bahndamm (Industriestrasse, 8574 Lengwil), bunker A5745 Weinfelden (Schnellerstrasse, 8570 Weinfelden).

Amenities & dining

On guided tours, an apéro with bunker wine (Thurgau wine), drinks, snacks and coffee can be added; the command bunker in Weinfelden also allows your own catering.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit