Festungsmuseum Heldsberg

About the museum

The Heldsberg artillery works were planned in 1938, shortly after the annexation of Austria by the German Reich, and built by local construction firms between 1939 and 1941. They were intended to secure the Rhine crossing between Lake Constance and Montlingen and, with four 7.5 cm fortress guns, were the only artillery unit of Border Brigade 8. The deterrent effect of the facility even found its way into German operational plans.

After the end of the war, the works remained secret for a long time. In 1993, the Festungsmuseum Heldsberg association took over the facility and opened it to the public. Since then, the extensive underground complex with its tunnels spread over several floors has been walkable, largely in its original condition.

On the tour, visitors see the troop quarters, kitchen and medical area, ammunition magazines, the engine room with emergency generator, and the combat positions with their guns. The association also runs the Border Brigade 8 command bunker in Haslen AI and the Stoss barrier above Altstätten. In addition to the regular tour, the museum offers themed tours, such as the evening “Night Patrol 1945” or the “Tunnel Fox Tour”.

Highlights

• Artillery works of 1939–1941 in original condition
• Combat positions with guns, engine room and troop quarters
• Around one kilometre of tunnels with an audio guide (26 stations)
• Themed tours such as “Night Patrol 1945”
• Heldsbergstube with refreshments on open Saturdays

Permanent exhibition

• Artilleriewerk Heldsberg – Tour through the faithfully furnished fortress with troop quarters, kitchen, medical area, ammunition magazines, engine room and combat positions.

Founded

1993

Operated by

Verein Festungsmuseum Heldsberg

Admission & discounts

Prices for the open Saturdays. Free with the Museum Pass and for association members (members visit all three museums of the association free of charge).

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• 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 facility is wheelchair accessible; access right up to the main entrance should be requested in advance from the office.

Kids & families

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

• Café

Heldsbergstube with simple refreshments (Wienerli sausages, cheese toasts, nut croissants, drinks) on open Saturdays; group menus by advance booking.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Corporate events

Lecture room with projector and flipchart for company and team events, catering in the Heldsbergstube, rounded off with a tour.

Plan your visit