Anhalter Hochbunker

The Anhalter Hochbunker was built in Berlin as a massive, above-ground air-raid shelter to protect civilians during the Allied bombing campaigns of World War II. Completed in 1942, it was specifically constructed to hold several thousand people during intense air raids. Its incredibly thick concrete walls allowed it to survive the war almost entirely intact.

The bunker is located in the Kreuzberg district of Berlin, directly beside the ruins of the former Anhalter Bahnhof railway station. Its proximity to the railway station was strategic, as it could protect travelers and railway workers who had no time to reach other shelters. The massive, windowless concrete cube is a prominent feature of the neighborhood.

Today, the massive concrete structure is a multi-use building that houses a variety of modern amenities. It contains a horror-themed amusement center known as the Berlin Dungeon, a branch of the Madame Tussauds wax museum, and a contemporary art exhibition space called the Boros Collection. The top floor even features a luxury penthouse.

The walls of the bunker are exceptionally thick, measuring up to 2.5 meters (about 8 feet) of reinforced concrete. This immense thickness was necessary to withstand direct hits from heavy bombs and to support the massive weight of the roof. The sheer density of the structure made it virtually indestructible by conventional World War II weaponry.