Kommandobunker Alvaneu

About the museum

During the Cold War, from the 1960s onwards, the Swiss Army built its command installations well camouflaged into the rock, protected against conventional, nuclear and chemical attack. From there the troops in the field were to be commanded. Near Alvaneu in the Albula valley, the geographical centre of Graubünden, lay the command post of Border Brigade 12 and Mountain Division 12 – a top-secret, completely self-sufficient installation deep inside the mountain with its own power, air and water supply.

Today the Verein Militärhistorische Anlagen Albulatal, which also looks after the fortress on the Albula Pass, uses the installation as a museum: in 2021 it opened an exhibition on the Cold War here. The access tunnel serves as an exhibition: on a 180-metre timeline, headlines and illuminated panels lead through the decades of bloc confrontation to the heart of the installation, the command room.

There visitors take on the role of a “Brigadier ad interim” and use an iPad with augmented reality to explore the procedures in the bunker on their own – from the power supply and protection against gas and nuclear attack to communication with the outside world. In the former dormitories on the upper floor the association also shows around 1,400 telephones from Swiss telephone history, from wired radio to the mobile phone. The installation can only be visited on a guided tour; the proceeds support the operation, maintenance and further development of the museum.

Highlights

• 180-metre Cold War timeline in the access tunnel
• Augmented reality strategy game on an iPad in the original command room
• Tour of the radio room, emergency generators, dormitories and kitchen of the self-sufficient rock installation
• Around 1,400 telephones on Swiss telephone history on the upper floor

Permanent exhibitions

• Zeitstrahl Kalter Krieg – Headlines and illuminated panels along 180 metres of access tunnel tell the story of the Cold War.
• Kommandobunker mit Augmented Reality – Command room, radio, emergency power, dormitories and kitchen; a strategy game on the iPad brings the procedures in an emergency to life.

Founded

2021

Operated by

Verein Militärhistorische Anlagen Albulatal

Admission & discounts

The tour fee goes towards the operation, maintenance and further development of the museum.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• Elevator: no information
• 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

It is only about 8 °C inside the bunker, the command room is slightly heated; warm clothing and shoes with insulating soles are recommended. Dogs are welcome. Information on wheelchair accessibility is not available.

Kids & families

Only partly suitable for kids

There is no age limit; according to the association, however, children under 10 will find it hard to follow the subject, though the extensive rock installation is impressive in itself. The tour is adapted to the registered guests.

Getting there & parking

The exact location is shown on the map on the tour page; the meeting point is the bunker entrance.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events

The association organises family, club and corporate events in the bunker; the command room with multimedia equipment is suitable for meetings, and the bunker kitchen is used for simple catering. Enquiries via the group registration form.

Plan your visit