Röhrenbunker am Oberlandesgericht

Useful Information

Location:	Reichenspergerplatz 1, 50670 Köln. (50.9540957, 6.9629880)
Open:	All year 1st Sunday of month 12, 14. [2025]
Fee:	free, donations welcome. [2025]
Classification:	World War II Bunker
Light:	Electric Light
Dimension:
Guided tours:
Photography:
Accessibility:
Bibliography:
Address:	Röhrenbunker am Oberlandesgericht, Tel: +49-162-73-99-505. E-mail:
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History

Description

The Röhrenbunker am Oberlandesgericht (tube bunker at the Higher Regional Court) is one of the last remaining civilian air-raid shelters in Cologne. Many of the original fixtures have also been preserved, giving a realistic impression of what conditions were like at the time. The shelter could accommodate 180 people, who sat tightly packed on wooden benches along the wall. The entrance was a gas lock, and there was a ventilation system and toilets. Phosphorescent paint provided at least a little visibility when the power failed.

These bunkers were widespread because they could be built quickly. A passageway was simply dug and concreted over with a vaulted ceiling. The bunkers were accessed via stairs from the alleys. Unfortunately, their protective capacity was rather low; they provided protection from shrapnel and blast waves, gas attacks and collapsing buildings. As they were not very deep, the noise of explosions and the vibrations were always clearly audible. The bunker would not have withstood a direct hit. That is why many Cologne residents called these air-raid shelters "Angströhre" (fear tunnels).

The Röhrenbunker am Oberlandesgericht is also known as the Röhrenbunker Reichenspergerplatz Köln. It is operated by the Welt unter Koeln Verein (World under Cologne Association).