After exploring the Stasi bunker earlier that day, we set out to investigate another Cold War relic. We had suggested this location to our friend Jürgen, who simply replied, “I didn’t even know there was a bunker out there – why do the folks from Kiel have to show up before we find these things?”
So this was uncharted territory for all of us.
Our destination was a communications bunker built in the 1960s by the Group of Soviet Forces in Germany. It’s tucked away on the edge of a vast forest in Brandenburg, an area that once served as a major military training ground.
Because of the remote setting, finding a discreet place to park was already a challenge. Eventually we found a spot, though uncomfortably close to a small residential settlement. We suspected we might draw some attention - and at least one very loud guard dog certainly noticed us. Its barking echoed across the entire area as we stepped out of the car. We hurried into the woods, hoping to avoid further notice.
With temperatures above 35°C, the walk quickly turned into a minor endurance test - especially since we always wear long pants and sometimes even jackets, even in midsummer, to protect ourselves from thorns, ticks, and anything else a forest might throw at us.
Our GPS guided us reliably through the forest, though the route itself was anything but straight. We weaved our way forward in loose zigzags until we finally reached the first structures of the former facility.
We started at the above-ground buildings: the guardhouse, the staff building, and the heating plant. Despite heavy vandalism, plenty of traces of the Soviet era were still visible - wall paintings, maps, even pieces of clothing and old boots scattered around.
But our main goal was the communications bunker. Since we didn’t know its exact position within the site, we had to search for a bit. Eventually we found the structure, including its entrances - one of which was open.
The bunker’s interior was in poor shape. Cable thieves and vandals had clearly been busy over the years. It wasn’t a pretty sight, although a few control panels and massive cable conduits still gave hints of the bunker’s original purpose.
Nevertheless, we had achieved our primary mission: we had found the bunker.
We wanted to locate the remaining parts of the complex as well: a small USB-type bunker, the emergency power bunker, and the two switching cauldrons rumored to be somewhere on the grounds. So we continued the search.
Suddenly, a white van drove onto the site! Our immediate impression was that the driver was looking for us, especially when the vehicle suddenly accelerated. That was our cue to leave - quickly. Not only was the terrain fenced off, but we were also trespassing in a forest area under the highest wildfire alert level. Both a potential security patrol and the forestry authority would have had good reason to question what we were doing there.
So we made a tactical retreat - straight back to the cars and out of there!
This way, the second part of our trip ended sooner than planned, and by the time we reached the vehicles, we were drenched in sweat from sprinting through the sweltering forest.
Still, it was an incredible day—two fascinating locations and the best company one could ask for!
To find out more about the history and to check out all the photos from this place, click the button below.
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