After the Cold War, it seemed that a number of structures might become redundant. These included various types of bunkers, particularly government and state bunkers. Not only were they expensive to build, but their maintenance also cost millions. Due to the new geopolitical situation, it was believed that these structures could be dispensed with – especially in formerly divided Germany, where protective structures had been built for the same purpose, but in duplicate.

In the past, the state and subordinate authorities disposed of this burden in a variety of ways. If buyers could be found, the bunkers were sold. Those that could not be sold were stripped and sealed. The former government bunker in the Ahr Valley was converted into a tunnel; part of it was preserved as a museum. The Soratte bunker north of Rome suffered a similar fate. Once built to house the Italian government, it faced an uncertain future after its abandonment until it was purchased by the neighbouring municipality of St. Oreste with the aim of turning it into a museum.

However, with the outbreak of Russia’s war of aggression and the experience gained so far, a new debate has flared up as to whether dealing with this bunkered heritage is still appropriate in today’s world. Once again, the question of protection and security for human survival arises.
The seminar will use four examples to illustrate the conversion of state-relevant bunker structures and the problems associated with them.

Programme:

• The role of 20th-century fortifications in the European Cultural Route FORTE CULTURA
• Federal Bank Bunker, Cochem (DE)
• Ahrtal Government Bunker Documentation Centre (DE)
• Soratte Government Bunker St’Oreste (IT)
• Post Office Bunker Strausberg (DE)
• Lunch
• Tour of the Strausberg postal bunker