Fichte bunker Berlin Unterwelten

We joined a tour from Berlin Unterwelten to a nineteenth century gasometer in the Kreuzberg district called Fichte Bunker.

Having been used as a gasometer, air raid shelter and homeless unit over the years.   It’s now a protected building, however there are private houses in the roof.  See below for their snazzy Bond like access lift.

Fichte Bunker Berlin Unterwelten

Construction

The Fichte Bunker was constructed in 1874 for the Municipal Gasholder Authority by Johann Wilhelm Schwedler and was designed to hold gas for Berlin’s street lighting.  There are still gas lamps in Berlin, and you can see them outside the bunker.

Fichte bunker Berlin Unterwelten gas lamps

History

The gasometer was in working use until 1922, with the introduction of electric street lighting. In 1940 the building was converted to an air raid shelter. Originally the shelter was planned for 6,000 people, but it has been reported that some 30,000 people took shelter.

Fichte bunker Berlin Unterwelten

After the war the bunker housed refugees and then was a juvenile detention facility and as a home for the elderly.

Fichte bunker Berlin Unterwelten

It was also used as a storehouse for items which West Berlin would have needed to survive another blockade.  Marks for counting the items can be found inside the store rooms.

Fichte bunker Berlin Unterwelten

On the tour you get to see the hospital area to rooms reconstructed as air raid shelter days plus down into the depths and the air purification system – which still works!

Fichte bunker Berlin Unterwelten The bunker is now only open via Betlin Unterwelten tours. LIke other tours, no photography is allowed inside.

Where

Fichtebunker

Fichtestrasse, Berlin

Get There

U Bahn Sudstern U7

Fichte bunker Berlin Unterwelten

emma

Emma

Hello!

I am Emma and with my husband Mark write Foodie Explorers, which is a food and travel website.

I am a member of the Guild of Food Writers and British Guild of Travel Writers.

We have a wide range of judging experience covering products, hotels and have judged, for example, for Great Taste Awards and Scottish Baker of the Year.

Along the way Mark gained WSET Level 2 in Wine and I have WSET Level 2 in Spirits as well as picking up an award with The Scotsman Food and Drink Awards.    

Usually I can be found sleeping beside a cat.

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