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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Compare 55 Hostels in Wandlitz with updated reviews, rates, and availability.

"Excellent location. Beds kinda small............good stay."

AED 280 total

includes taxes & fees

15 Jun - 16 Jun

"It was nice "

AED 186 total

includes taxes & fees

9 Jun - 10 Jun

"Had a great experience here! The beds were surprisingly comfortable. I enjoyed that the shower area is huge and "

AED 190 total

includes taxes & fees

9 Jun - 10 Jun

"Really close to the train station, good variety for breakfast and quiet at night"

1 bedroom, soundproofing, free WiFi, bed sheets

"."

AED 182 total

includes taxes & fees

9 Jun - 10 Jun

"The only issue was that the bathroom was not in the room. Maybe I missed read the description of the hotel. But the staff was amazing , very clean rooms. And the breakfast was super good."

AED 261 total

includes taxes & fees

9 Jun - 10 Jun

"Very clean and quiet and safe. Lots of outlets and helpful and friendly staff. Ginna was great and I had a very pleasurable stay!! "

AED 294 total

includes taxes & fees

9 Jun - 10 Jun

"Very cheap, very central most of all very friendly staff, can really be recommended "

"Very close to the metro station which was very convenient!"

AED 311 total

includes taxes & fees

15 Jun - 16 Jun

Hypo-allergenic bedding, blackout drapes, soundproofing, free WiFi

"Lovely staff and good facilities, felt safe and modern."

Double Room, Shared Bathroom | Iron/ironing board, free WiFi, bed sheets

"I had a good time staying at the hotel, great place "

"Great hotel. I would come again "

Comfort Double Room, Private Bathroom | Blackout drapes, free WiFi, bed sheets

"Staff was great. Rooms good. Not the area I wanted to be in."

Individually decorated, individually furnished, blackout drapes

"Fun hostel to stay at "

AED 313 total

includes taxes & fees

15 Jun - 16 Jun

"The hotel is good and it was a fair price but it was i bit from the city center. The staff was nice and the breakfast was good."

AED 201 total

includes taxes & fees

9 Jun - 10 Jun

Hypo-allergenic bedding, in-room safe, individually decorated, desk

"This was a great place to be and was very comfortable."

AED 331 total

includes taxes & fees

16 Jun - 17 Jun

"Good clean hostel in good location "

AED 241 total

includes taxes & fees

9 Jun - 10 Jun

Shared Dormitory, Mixed, Shared Bathroom (bed in a 10-beds-dorm) | In-room safe, individually decorated

"Super great vibes and facilities "

Shared Dormitory (Mixed Dorm - 3 Beds) | 1 bedroom, in-room safe, individually decorated, individually furnished

"5 min from station-WarschauerStrasse Everything very clean Easy Check-in and -out All in good condition "

"Nice place to stay"

AED 342 total

includes taxes & fees

6 Jul - 7 Jul

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Recent reviews of Wandlitz hotels

5/5 Excellent

"We loved our stay here, service was lovely and very kind"

A verified traveler stayed at InterContinental Berlin by IHG

Posted 7 hours ago

Hotel Berlin, Berlin, a member of Radisson Individuals

5/5 Excellent

"It was very clean and in a great location. I stayed for both the conference and vacation. The service was neither pretentious nor overly formal—it was just right. I will stay here again."

A verified traveler stayed at Hotel Berlin, Berlin, a member of Radisson Individuals

Posted 2 days ago

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Frequently asked questions

When is the best time of year to stay in a hostel in Wandlitz?

Good weather’s definitely a plus when you want to venture out and explore, so here’s some information that may be helpful: The hottest months are usually August and July with an average temp of 66°F, while the coldest months are January and February with an average of 36°F. Average annual precipitation for Wandlitz is 26 inches.

What is there to see and do in Wandlitz?

In general, Wandlitz is known for its: parks and restaurants. Major attractions include Alexanderplatz, Brandenburg Gate, and Checkpoint Charlie. Get out into nature with places like Barnim Nature Park, Strandbad Wandlitzsee, and Badestrand am Liepnitzsee. Cultural attractions include Sachsenhausen Memorial and Museum, Finowfurt Aviation Museum, and Berlin Hohenschoenhausen Memorial.

What's the best way to get to and around Wandlitz while staying at a hostel?

Keep this information about transit options in and around Wandlitz in your back pocket to make the most of your stay: You can search for flights to the closest airport, which is Berlin (BER-Brandenburg), 27 mi (43.4 km) away from the city center. When you’re out and about, you may want to use public transit during your trip. To explore more of the surrounding area, take a train from Wandlitzsee Station, Wandlitz Station, or Klosterfelde Station.

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Compare 55 Hostels in Wandlitz with updated reviews, rates, and availability.

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Recent reviews of Wandlitz hotels

InterContinental Berlin by IHG

Radisson Collection Hotel, Berlin

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