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/

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Our top choices for Wandlitz Motel One

"Centrally located.. lots of transportation and dining."

SAR 413 total

includes taxes & fees

14 Sep - 15 Sep

"Hotel was great location for food and shops, and visiting the stadium"

SAR 390 total

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31 Aug - 1 Sep

"Modern clean hotel with nice breakfast, 5 minutes on foot to Hauptbahnhof station. "

SAR 362 total

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31 Aug - 1 Sep

"Very close to Berlin complex history sites and a lot of good transport options, plus a good breakfast with lots of choices in it."

SAR 394 total

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31 Aug - 1 Sep

"Great place, staff was lovely and the food was fantastic "

SAR 310 total

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31 Aug - 1 Sep

"Great stay - will go back"

SAR 413 total

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31 Aug - 1 Sep

"Excellent and efficient hotel very close to (in between) Alexanderplatz and Hackersher Markt. I had no trouble checking in very late due to a late arrival, the breakfast buffet was nice, and the room and bathroom were super clean. The hotel lobby also has an excellent bar and a quiet courtyard to enjoy a drink. "

SAR 385 total

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31 Aug - 1 Sep

"The bus stop is just right in front of the hotel - and underground is a stone throw away, can't get more convenient if you use public transport. Hotel is nice and clean with very helpful and friendly staff. Overall EXCELLENT!"

SAR 517 total

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29 Aug - 30 Aug