Bunker day

Bunkerday in The Hague

Several bunkers that played an important role during World War II can be visited in The Hague. Especially for this day, the Führer der Schnellbootee & Radarpost Erika (Widerstandsnest 66 HM)) will open. In addition, both locations of the Atlantic Wall Museum The Hague will also be open. At locatie Kijkduin, some 130 metres of tunnel with six connected bunkers remain. This part of the complex, named Widerstandsnest 67 HL, housed a Luftwaffe unit that had to search the airspace for enemy aircraft. On Badhuisweg in Scheveningen, the German occupiers built a command centre consisting of 13 bunkers in 1943. Stichting Atlantikwall Museum Den Haag has made the command bunker, a crew bunker and a toilet bunker accessible again and furnished them.

The Nationaal Monument Oranjehotel will also be open during Bunkerday. The Oranjehotel is the nickname for the Scheveningen prison during World War II. The complex consists of about 120 cells. The heart of the memorial is Cell 601, a cell still preserved entirely in its authentic state. During World War II, the Oranjehotel functioned as a political prison. Opponents of the Nazi regime were detained, interrogated and sentenced here. But political imprisonment is of all times and places. In the exhibition ‘Freedom under pressure. Political prisoners, then and now', the museum gives an impression of a number of political prisons around the world. The exhibition has been specially curated to mark 80 years of liberation. For a larger overview of the bunkers and activities to be visited, visit the website of bunkerday. 

What is the Atlantikwall? 

During World War II, Nazi Germany built a defence line along the western European coast to prevent an attack by the Allies. This so-called Atlantic Wall ran all the way from Norway to the border with Spain, over a length of some 5,000 kilometres. It connected tens of thousands of bunker complexes and other defences. In the Netherlands, too, hundreds of bunkers, tank walls and trenches were constructed at strategic locations along the coast. This had major consequences: many residents were forced to leave their homes to make way for the construction of these defences. The European coast turned into a fortress during the German occupation, traces of which are still visible today.

Activities Bunkerdag dedicated to 80 years of freedom

This tenth edition of Bunkerdag focuses on the liberation of the Netherlands exactly eighty years ago. The importance of freedom then and now is highlighted, as well as the far-reaching consequences of the construction of the Atlantic Wall. In addition to bunker tours throughout the country, there are various activities for young and old. Visitors will have the chance to enter bunkers that normally remain closed. Guided tours and walks bring history to life and provide context on the role of the bunkers and their impact on the environment. Uniformed actors show what daily life was like during the war, while historic army vehicles add to the atmosphere. There are also exhibitions to mark 80 years of liberation and film screenings with original wartime footage. Special treasure hunts and assignment booklets have been developed for children.

Ticketsale

With the Bunkerday ticket, all open bunkers can be visited. The Bunkerday tickets will be sold at the locations. You cannot always pay by debit card here, so don't forget to bring cash.

• Adults (13+) € 7.50
• Children (4-12 years) € 4,-
• Children (0-3 years) Free