A must-see: the Government Bunkers. Well, except for the fact that English-language tours are only available for groups, by prearrangement. My original description of the site is here; the short version is that this is the location that was the “secure location” at which top German government officials, and 3,000 people altogether, were to be protected in the case of an actual or threatened nuclear attack, for up to 30 days.
This site ought to be the premier site for understanding, and thinking about, the Cold War. As it is, it’s run by the local history association, with tours given by volunteers who also devote their time to learning more about the history of the site, and with consequently limited opening hours. It wasn’t in our guidebook, only in a brochure at the vacation rental apartment. But it sure ought to be better known, and it’s easy to access from Bonn (1/2 hr by car), Cologne (1 hr), and even Frankfurt (2 hours), and, Germany’s train system being what it is, you can get there without a car, say as a side trip on business travel, if you’re willing to walk a bit. Heck, if there were demand, it shouldn’t be that hard to put together a podcast so that an English-speaker could join a German-language tour.
Anyway, here are some photos.
Attention! Danger of death! If light is blinking and horn sounding, do not cross the markings on the floor! — lest a thick concrete door automatically close on you.
In order to speak to the German people, you need a television studio. . .
The Chancellor had the same accomodations as everyone else, but a single rather than shared room!
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