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/

Find all hotels by Kempinski Hotels & Resorts in Wandlitz from AED 1,220

Change your mind

Book hotels with free cancellation

Treat yourself

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

Sign in

Be picky

Search almost a million properties worldwide

Check prices for these dates

Tonight

Tomorrow

This weekend

Next weekend

Compare rooms and suites by Kempinski Hotels & Resorts in Wandlitz with rates, reviews, and availability. Most hotels are fully refundable.

3 restaurants, lunch, dinner served; French cuisine

"Great service, great property and world class breakfast buffett"

AED 1,403 total

includes taxes & fees

1 Aug - 2 Aug

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

Sign in

Sign up, it's free

Top Wandlitz Hotel Reviews

Scandic Berlin Potsdamer Platz

10/10 Excellent

"The staff were very friendly and efficient!"

Hotel Berlin, Berlin, a member of Radisson Individuals

10/10 Excellent

"Had a great stay here! I work remotely and this provided great WiFi and a great work area! The lobby is super spacious and has a great vibe. The location is near lots of public transportation and restaurants. I will be staying here next time again! "