Bunker 5001 was East Germany’s ultimate undisclosed location. Had the Cold War turned hot, East German leader Erich Honecker and other high-ranking communist leaders would have comfortably ridden out the end of the world in this 7,500 cubic meter space.

It’s buried in the middle of a forest about 40 kilometers from Berlin.

My guide, Hannes Hensel, who’s part of a group called the Berlin Bunker Network, showed up and poked around the ground for awhile until he uncovers a steel trapdoor. He opens it and beckons me inside. We won’t surface again for well over 4 hours.

“This was the most technologically advanced bunker of its time,” Hensel says while explaining his interest in the site. Bunker 5001 was actually superior in some respects to similar American and West German bunkers of its time.

Inside, he shows me how the East Germans built the bunker as a series of massive containers, built on giant springs and coils so that the facility could ride out the shock wave from nearby nuclear blasts. The bunker contained its own generators, water system and air filtering facilities, so that its 400 inhabitants would have had no need to enter the nuclear wasteland above for two weeks after a war. The postwar plans were a bit hazier, however.

“After two weeks, they would have gone above ground wearing radiation suits and gotten to an airplane and flown eastward to Russia,” says Hensel.

Bunker 5001 is definitely number one on the most endangered list of bunkers in the Berlin area. The site’s entrances meanwhile IS SEALED UP with concrete sometime to prevent thrill-seekers from gaining access.

Further Documentation is available at http://www.bunker5001.com/

Search Castles in Wandlitz

Change your mind

Book hotels with free cancellation

deals illustration

Treat yourself

Sign in to save 10% or more on thousands of hotels

bed illustration

Be picky

Search almost a million properties worldwide

Check prices for these dates

Next weekend

25 Jul - 27 Jul

In two weeks

In one month

15 Aug - 17 Aug

In two months

12 Sep - 14 Sep

Castles in Wandlitz

We don't have any properties that match your exact search

Recommended hotels in Wandlitz

Exterior

"Wonderful host— lovely neighborhood, close to the lake and many restaurants, and great breakfasts!"

SAR 504 total

includes taxes & fees

18 Jul - 19 Jul

Exterior

"Quite and great staff fantastic breakfast "

SAR 487 total

includes taxes & fees

14 Jul - 15 Jul

Restaurant

"Für Lage und Umgebung MittelGUT."

SAR 376 total

includes taxes & fees

14 Jul - 15 Jul

Property grounds

"We were there for one night. It was a very nice stay. Everything was clean, and the staff was very friendly."

SAR 327 total

includes taxes & fees

4 Aug - 5 Aug

Restaurant

"Sehr aufmerksame nette Gastgeber. Tolle Unterkunft. "

SAR 482 total

includes taxes & fees

23 Jul - 24 Jul

Terrace/patio

"Super nette Angstellte und ich fand das Frühstücksangebot super. Auch das man im „Park“ alles frei nutzen konnte. Das Hotel selbst ist etwas in die Jahre gekommen. "

SAR 402 total

includes taxes & fees

14 Jul - 15 Jul

Interior

SAR 413 total

includes taxes & fees

13 Aug - 14 Aug

1 bedroom, travel crib, free WiFi, bed sheets

SAR 436 total

includes taxes & fees

14 Jul - 15 Jul

1 bedroom, travel crib, free WiFi, bed sheets

SAR 426 total

includes taxes & fees

14 Jul - 15 Jul

Interior

SAR 414 total

includes taxes & fees

14 Jul - 15 Jul

Interior

SAR 1,744 total

includes taxes & fees

17 Jul - 18 Jul

Interior

SAR 1,263 total

includes taxes & fees

22 Jul - 23 Jul

Interior

SAR 391 total

includes taxes & fees

13 Aug - 14 Aug

2 bedrooms, travel crib, free WiFi, bed sheets

SAR 496 total

includes taxes & fees

20 Jul - 21 Jul

Exterior detail

SAR 3,849 total

includes taxes & fees

10 Aug - 11 Aug

Meeting facility

"Great hotel and staff I always stay at this hotel when am in Berlin "

Daily buffet breakfast (EUR 14 per person)

"Good place to stay."

SAR 242 total

includes taxes & fees

12 Aug - 13 Aug

Breakfast, lunch, dinner served; international cuisine

"Overall it was nice, check in was smooth and it was a cozy stay"

SAR 259 total

includes taxes & fees

27 Jul - 28 Jul

Exterior

"Clean, comfortable, friendly and very convenient for the airport."

SAR 393 total

includes taxes & fees

18 Jul - 19 Jul

Restaurant

"Nice Hotel. Good for a short stay."

SAR 297 total

includes taxes & fees

18 Jul - 19 Jul

Save an average of 15% on thousands of hotels when you're signed in

Sign up, it's free

Recent reviews of Wandlitz hotels

TITANIC Comfort Berlin Mitte

5/5 Excellent

"Ions but exceptional staff"

A verified traveler from Wichita stayed at TITANIC Comfort Berlin Mitte

Posted 3 days ago

Explore a world of travel with Expedia

753f1fc1-679c-4e2c-9752-c47137b3ef73b986cdc4-03a6-4cc6-8b9e-abb6eb29f51f